North Geelong hit the 2014 season as the hunted as they look to repeat the events of 21 years ago and go back to back. Premiership coach Darren Ryan acknowledges the challenge to get the boys up, and the number one goal during the preseason is to maintain the hunger for success in 2014.
Pre season training numbers have been OK although slightly down on the same time last year.
What the is pre-season did bring the Magpies was the unsurpassed opportunity for the football group was the chance to train on Simmonds Stadium under the watch of Chris Scott and all the Geelong Cats assistant trainers. This was the prize avaialble to one of the top 10 fundraising clubs in the Casey Tutungi appeal, and North were drawn from the hat.
Ryan said "The reception we were given was absolutely fantastic with all players treated exactly the same as the Geelong senior team regardless of their skill or fitness level. We had access to the Geelong trainers and medical staff, had the entire training session captured on video for post analysis, were given full access to the pools, were taken through a gym session with the Geelong staff, were fed by the wonderful team who supplies food to the Geelong players and to cap it all off were given Geelong training jumpers and shorts." Not only did the players have an outstanding experience but according to Ryan "worked hard and walked away a little better for it."
In a recent interview with K-Rock he even inidcated he got a lot out of it for his own coaching.
On the transfer front, only 3 of the premiership 22 senior players have departed with Braydee Watts retiring, Justin Dibalsio undecided and Toby Biggs in a rumoured move to Moddewarre. On the plus side of the ledger though the Magpies have made on of the biggest recruiting coups inside the league luring Steve Richert and Jamie Pitman away from Anakie.
Richert has been an outstadning player for Anakie and is a previous interleague captain, so the Round 1 clash out at Roo boys home has a bit of spice added.
In addition there have been some new signings including Luke Vucicevic and Alexander Giombanco from Bell Park. In addition the return of star foroward Paul Breguet is on track for around the halfway mark of the season.
With many of there young ranks now having 30-40 senior games under their belts the future looks bright for 2014.
The VWFL girls preparation over the off season has been described by club secretary Jamie Watts " as nothing short of fantastic". Watts said "Enthusiasm has been great after their 2013 Premiership defeat and expectations are running high with the addition of some very talented footballers advancing from the youth girls competition along with recruits from North Ballarat."
The girls will be coached this year by Steve Jannsen former magpie president and current GDFL VP
On the netball front the teams have been training well under coach Darren Johnston who is again leading the netball campaign along with Mark Coon. Watts said "Darren has been working hard during the off season and has recruited some well needed height to the club.
Last Modified on 28/02/2014 13:49