Dean Haydock has one goal in 2013 – to guide Panton Hill to its first senior premiership since entering the Northern Football League.
After guiding the Redbacks to their first NFL Grand Final appearance in his first season as coach, Haydock has again set the bar high for his side in 2013.
The Redbacks took out the 2012 minor premiership by winning 15 of 16 home and away matches, before falling to two heavy losses to Mernda during the finals series.
Haydock said his club’s performance last year was a “magnificent effort” and he is determined to do everything it takes to guide the Redbacks one step further this year.
“I would be lying if I didn’t say that making a Grand Final was our goal,” Haydock told NFL.org.au.
“Obviously we lost it (last year) and it’s disappointing. It was great to get there but we want to win it, it’s as simple as that. We want to make it and we want to win it and we’re doing our utmost to make sure that happens.”
Panton Hill has been active during the off-season, signing a host of experienced Division 1 players along with a handful of highly-touted youngsters who will add pace to a mature list.
Nick Lowther – who won four premierships with Heidelberg and was a member of its Team of the Decade – returns to the NFL after a stint with Portarlington, while Jarrod McGough and Ben Finnin have joined from Montmorency.
The addition of experience will offset the loss of retired pair Abe Williams and Brett Thorn, while Haydock remains unsure if he himself will return to the playing field after a highly decorated career which includes the 2001 Division 1 best and fairest award.
The 36-year-old identified a lack of pace as one his side’s weaknesses last season and says the inclusion of youngsters was high on his priority list following last year’s 93-point Grand Final loss.
“In wet conditions we were very good because of our heavy bodies but come finals time the drier ground probably showed us up a little bit,” Haydock said.
“We’re not as quick as we used to be so we targeted a few younger players such as Nathan Hendry, Tim Duckworth and a few others who can add a bit of leg speed to us.”
Haydock expects much tougher competition in Division 3 this season after a 2012 season dominated by the top three teams.
Panton Hill, Mernda and Reservoir lost just eight games combined during the regular season, while the division’s other four teams managed just 16 wins throughout the 16-round season.
Haydock said the promise of six tough opposition teams has been used to motivate his players this pre-season, rather than the disappointment of last year’s Grand Final heartache.
“To be honest, it (the Grand Final loss) is in the back of our mind but it’s nothing we raise now,” Haydock said.
“Last year us and Mernda probably stepped it up in regards to our recruiting and the way we played the game. I think we caught a few sides off-guard and I think a few sides were still in third division mode.
“I don’t imagine that will happen again. I think sides now realise where the bar is and it’s risen again and they’ll be rising with it.”
After spending his entire career in Division 1, Haydock said he saw many similarities between the top flight and third division.
“There are still 18 players on the ground and they still want the ball and they still hit hard,” he said.
“The skill level might not be as fluent in third division as first division but it just means that you have to go and chase the ball down again.
“I thought it was great and I thought it was enjoyable and it’s still just hard, tough football.”
Panton Hill begins its 2013 campaign with a home game against Parkside in Round 1.
Last Modified on 10/06/2013 23:58