Lakes Entrance will kick off its 2012 East Gippsland Football Netball League season this Saturday, welcoming reigning senior premier Lindenow to the Lakeside Oval for what should be an exciting round two clash.
The Seagulls had a round one bye, giving them an extra week to prepare for their new campaign.
There haven’t been any wholesale changes in Lakes’ playing list over summer, managing to keep most of its locals while a few former Seagulls have returned.
James Pitt, Chris Mathers and Chris Bulmer have returned to the club, fresh out of the Omeo and District Football League.
They also have come across a fit Jamie Darcy who will run all day and Toby Eiseman who will send the Seagulls into the attack out of the midfield.
Apart from these differences, it can be called a rebuilding phase for the Seagulls with a new-look committee and some work taking place on the clubrooms, but they might slide under the radar.
And with Bills’ wealth of knowledge, there is no reason why Lakes can't do more than just rebuild.
He believes the pre-season has been a good one, often attracting more than 30 on the training track, giving the senior group a good workout on those nights.
"It’s been pretty consistent I reckon, I don’t know what it’s like from other years, but it’s pretty good so far," he said.
"We're going to be a young side, playing locals.
"Our main focus is to get the boys to gain consistency and get them enjoying their footy a bit, it’s about rebuilding.
"I just want to try to change the culture a bit, the biggest thing is to play local blokes.
"A real aim is to build confidence, experience and then we’ll be a big chance to challenge later," he said.
To help Bills on the training track and coaching the reserves is a keen Barry Kenny from Orbost Snowy Rovers, who will be a great acquisition for the Seagulls.
Although they have said goodbye to former league best and fairest Xavier Ryan to Bairnsdale and youngsters Brendan Gallus and Brayden Radford to Paynesville.
They will need big performances out of Andrew Stevens, who will play a major role in the forward 50m and in the ruck after a stint on the sidelines, Adam Lowcock on the half back line and stalwart Nathan Pegler in the guts.
Bills believes the youngsters will play a major part during the season.
Ben Crittenden may even step up the ranks and play more in the midfield along with Jake Le Maitre.
"I'll definitely play the young blokes and throw it around a bit," Bills said.
Former Bairnsdale seventeen-year-olds Luke Reggardo and Beau Lamanna may feature in the senior side as they possess plenty of talent.
Mathew Dugins and Ayden Vogrig took the next step out of the under 18s late last year to play senior football and will most likely do so this season.
Nathan Pegler and Steve Battista have taken on the role of thirds coach for their first time.
Last Modified on 19/04/2012 11:24