A grand final loss is hard to take at the best of times but two in a row cuts to the core.
That is the reality of the situation out at Mike Kenny Oval where the Pennant Hills Demons Premier Division side have been training the house down in order to gain the elusive Bill Hart Cup in 2015.
Suffering defeat at the hands of back-to-back premiers, the Manly-Warringah GIANTS two years in a row, long-time clubman Damian Dell'Aquila says that the club has focussed on their mental strength during the pre-season, admitting their tendency to give in to fatigue let them down in the final stages of 2014.
“A new year brings a new season and a new challenge,” a positive Dell’Aquila said.
“We are really looking forward to getting out on to the field and taking the first steps to reaching the ultimate goal this season.
“To lose two years in a row is obviously disappointing, but we are focusing strongly on learning from our past failures and improving our approach to games this pre-season.”
To combat the Premier team’s fitness shortcomings, the club has brought in personal trainer, Maddy Cove in the hope of competing with the notoriously fit Manly-Warringah in season 2015.
“The addition of personal trainer, Maddy Cove has meant that a number of the sessions have been really demanding - both in running and strength work.”
Accepting all the challenges that come with a new season, Dell’Aquila admits that the loss of 2014 Phelan Medallist, Alex Goodall to the Albury Tigers in the Ovens & Murray League and former representative player Lloyd Sheppard to London, will hurt the team. However, it is a confidence in the depth of the club which Dell’Aquila hopes will fill the gap left by two of their top players.
“There are at least ten Under 19s players that will be pushing a lot of the boys in the open grades at the club.
“With Alex gone, the club is very fortunate to have some great young midfielders that now get their chance to secure a position in the team. Tom Edmonds, Brad Keogh, Nathan Mace, the list goes on.
“We also wish Alex all the best for his time in Albury and will follow his performances excitedly. It is a great opportunity for him and good on him for taking the leap.”
Also impressing senior clubman Dell’Aquila over their gruelling pre-season have been Aaron Crisfield, Jake Gunstone, Theo Moraitis, Dan Preen and Matt Carey.
“Aaron Crisfield looks like he has finally put his injury troubles behind him and is set for a big season.
“Jake Gunstone has just about led every fitness test we have done this pre-season and should get a chance to stake his claim for a Premier Division position early in the season.
“Matt Carey hasn’t missed a session and is geared for what we hope is a big 2015.
“And Josh Wells, [a former professional baseball player] who had never played before, has the mental application to really succeed.”
Off the field, Pennant Hills continues to grow as one of the largest clubs in Sydney’s northern suburbs recently announcing their inclusion in the Division Five and Under 19s Division Two competitions, as well as being hopeful of fielding a women’s team in the near future.
“It’s exciting that the news of this has filtered across the region and we are seeing plenty of numbers down at training.
“We have made it clear to AFL Sydney that we are open to fielding a women’s team sometime in the future. It would be the first of its kind in the region.
“For us it is all about growing the game and providing an avenue for more female support and participation in the code.”
The Demons have also welcomed back their former coach Michael Cousens to the club who will take on the role of Director of Coaching and Chairman of Selectors.
“His guidance and opinions will be of great value to both the coaching staff and players.
“It is also positive to see some fresh faces on the committee and we look forward to seeing some marked changes in the way the club is run off the field.”
CRAZIEST, LAZIEST AND PATRICK SWAYZEST
Laziest person at the club?
“Evan Danilo. He still lives on the dying memory of his ‘Best on Ground’ performance in the Division Four Grand Final in 2013.”
Craziest person at the club?
“Andrew ‘Macca’ McLennan. I’m not sure if he’s the craziest but he’ll certainly have a have a story about a friend of a friend of another friend that was pretty crazy in some situation.”
Patrick Swayzest person at the club?
“There is only one. Tom Edmonds. Just ask him.”
Last Modified on 18/03/2015 09:13
