Seniors
The senior squad has been back in full training since the 18th January 2016. It is evident and very pleasing to both Dean Thorn (Assistant Coach) and myself to see that most players have followed the running program that was set by our fitness coaches (Mark Roberts - Running Coach and Damian Kovacevic - Strength & Conditioning Coach) during the break. Fitness levels and intensity at training since the return has been excellent and has laid a strong platform on which we will build so we peak for Round 1 v St Mary's.
Our Tour de Friars competition is in full swing and is being hotly fought out. After Stage 7, U/19's player Ben Lyall is our leader in the Overall & Young Player classification so he holds both the coveted Yellow & White jerseys. Fellow U/19 player Carl Giovannini leads the Time Trial classification and holds the Polka Dot jersey and senior player Tom Gastin leads the Sprint category and wears the Green jersey. The leading team is AP's Hairline but both FPSK & Henna's Heartbreakers are right on their hammer. Ben is a second generation Friar son of premiership player Warren “Boris” Lyall.
Our practice match schedule has already been set and we are looking forward to playing Donvale on 20th March & Caulfield Grammar on 2nd April.
On a sadder note, young gun Toby McGurgan tragically suffered another torn ACL to the same knee that he injured in the first 10 minutes of last season and he will require another full reconstruction and miss the season. Whilst we acknowledge all of our other injured players, this is a particularly savage blow to a young player doing everything right in his rehab. It will be a great day for the Friars and for Toby when he gets back to full fitness to show the VAFA community what he can do. We wish Toby and all of our other injured players a speedy recovery.
It is just great to watch our U/19's in full flight at training under the expert guidance of 2013 U/19s premiership coach Jeremy Freeman and former Friars premiership captain Peter Harrison, Yet again we have another 35-40 very talented young Friars running around and we are all really looking forward to watching how they go again this year.
Our club is young & vibrant, our club is highly talented and our club is totally committed to working hard together as one, both on and off the field to climb up the ranks. Get down there and do what you can to help support your club.
Go Friars!
Dick Baker (Senior Coach)
Under 19s
The under 19’s have had great numbers with 35 young men making a commitment to the cause. There is an exciting mix of faces with players ranging from Year 11 to 2nd year University students. There are faces from Doncaster Secondary School and a new swarm of Year 12 Whitefriars’ students. New players Carl Giovannini and Max Warrick have been tearing up the hallowed turf of Whitefriars whilst the old stalwart Gus Hands has been leading the group on and off the field. The 19’s head towards the season with an exciting game plan built around pace, attacking football, discipline, and toughness.
Go Friars
Jeremy Freeman (Under 19s Coach)
Last Modified on 09/02/2016 07:05