Cats believe they can fly under radar
Lindenow has gone through the mountainous highs of a senior premiership and the harrowing lows of grand final defeat over the past two seasons.
However, the club has taken a major step in the climb towards premiership glory, welcoming the return of premiership coach Paul Carroll. 2012 coach John Dick has taken a step back and will take care of the Cats’ midfield.
Carroll, a task master, a strategist, a coach who has moulded his past groups around a tactical game plan, has been instilling another of his plays among a somewhat new-look playing group this pre-season.
The Cats have parted ways with premiership players Kaine Bulmer (Woodside) and Matt Busch (Bairnsdale), while Damian Vicary is headed overseas, as is key defender Lachlan Dumaresq, however the latter may make a late season return.
Welcomed to the Cattery are quality senior players Raymond Adams, Daniel Dick, Lucknow premiership player Willy Maynard, former Bairnsdale-listed onballer Andrew Rooney and former Cat Michael Delaney, who returns after a stint aiding Heyfield to the North Gippsland Football Netball League senior premiership last season.
Lindenow has also added height to its list with the additions of Brett Hargreaves and former Bairnsdale under 18 player Travis Lawson.
Lawson, a versatile tall, is one player Carroll expects big things from this season.
“I think Trav Lawson is going to be a key player for us this year,” Carroll said.
“He’s very mobile for a big bloke and I think he’ll do some damage.”
Carroll said the addition of a number of taller players means the game plan and team structure will change, however won’t be burden.
He’s seen the new game style improve over two practice matches against Sale City and Rosedale.
“We’re shaping up pretty good, not too bad,” he said.
“Sale City beat us by about four or five goals and then we beat Rosedale by about the same.
“Sale City made us look a bit slow, but I think it’ll just take time to adjust to having so much more height this year.
“For the pre-season we were 50-50, but overall I’m happy with where we’re at.
“I don’t think we are top heavy, we definitely still have plenty of run and carry and I think we’ve added a bit of that too.”
Adams is expected to provide plenty of dash out of the back half and will have multiple partners in Kobi Cook, Jack Van Reyk and possibly Dale Walkinshaw, as well as a large contingentof tall timber to deliver to.
John Dick is one of those key targets and will help fill a forward 50 void left by Busch with returning veteran Brett Walker.
“John Dick is going to be a great target for us. He’s fitter and stronger than he was before his knee injury, and we expect big things.
“Gerkin (Walker), I think he will cover the loss of Buschy. He’s so experienced and handles most situations pretty comfortably.”
Lindenow’s regular contributors are also in fine condition.
“Shaggy (captain Mark Baylis) has probably been the standout in the pre-season,” Carroll said.
“He’s like my wing man, I back him 110 per cent and he never lets me down. He’s probably had his best pre-season yet physically. He’s looking in good shape.
“Blairy (Justin Blair) is fit. He struggled a bit last year with that injury (groin) and has bounced back really well.”
Despite a limited pre-season, which started in late January, the Cats are again looking headed towards finals.
However, Carroll hasn’t set any expectations on his team, saying Lucknow has all the pressure, and the rest could be sleeping giants.
“The way a lot of people are talking, Lucknow has the trophy in the cabinet already, but I don’t think it’s that clear-cut.
“I think it might be a fair bit closer than a lot of people think.
“We are happy with how were are shaping up, and we’ll try and fly under the radar a bit this year.”
INS: Raymond Adams, Will Blackley, Michael Delaney, Daniel Dick, Jake Dyt, Brett Hargreaves, Willy Maynard, Adam Needham, Kai Richards, Andrew Rooney, Jake Simmons, Nathan Storer.
OUTS: Kaine Bulmer, Matt Busch, Lance Hammond, Stuart Hood, Wayne Hood, Damian Vicary, Jarryd Websdale.
Last Modified on 06/04/2013 06:44