An article by Sunshine Coast Daily reporter Steve Zemek that appeared in today's edtition.
More Coast news can be found at www.thedaily.com.au
Source: http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2010/03/19/roos-change-approach-to-new-season/
STEVE ZEMEK | 19th March 2010
THE Maroochydore-Northshore Roos say they are taking a gentle approach
to this year’s Pineapple Hotel Cup season after their dramatic 2009
fadeout.
After finishing second following last year’s regular rounds, the Roos
exited the finals in straight sets with losses to Noosa and Surfers
Paradise.
Roos captain Ryan White said the team was guilty of going too hard too
early last year, and was undergoing a relaxed preparation leading up to
this weekend’s season opener against Mayne.
“We haven’t had as big a pre-season as what we had last year but that’s what we wanted to do,” he said.
“We wanted to get fit, but not too fit, just steady our progress, get a bit fitter during the year.
“Then hopefully we’ll pick it up instead of dropping off like we did
last year. I reckon we went out very hard last year and the injuries
caught up with us.
“That was probably our downfall. A few of the boys weren’t as fit as what they should have been.”
Wet weather has restricted the Roos to just one game during the
pre-season, an eight-point win over Wilston-Grange on a waterlogged
Fisherman’s Road Oval last weekend.
Because of this White said it was hard to gauge the players’ form going into the Mayne clash.
“It was just a matter of getting out there and getting some match fitness, getting body on body again,” he said.
“There were a few positives from the game. It hasn’t been the best
preparation but I’m pretty sure all the other teams are in the same
boat. There haven’t been too many pre-season games.
“Once we play everyone once we should have a pretty good idea of where we are.”
Unlike arch-rival Noosa, which has undergone a major player overhaul in the off-season, the Roos’ roster is largely unchanged.
“We’ve got nearly exactly the same squad,” White said.
“I think we’ve lost one or two players at the most, but they might be
coming back as well. I think they just wanted to have a bigger break
over the summer.
“We’ve got pretty much the same squad. We’ve probably picked up five to 10 new players.”
One of the team’s biggest assets last year was its midfield, which will stay intact this year.
White said the team had a number of promising young midfielders coming
through the ranks, and tipped 18-year-old Ben King to make the jump
from reserve grade to firsts during the year.
Noosa will start its season against Sandgate at Lemke Oval tomorrow.
The Tigers will sport a new-look team and will be out to avenge their
grand final loss.
GAME DAY
MAYNE v MAROOCHY
Tomorrow, Everton, 2pm.
Last Modified on 19/03/2010 10:46