Melton South takes Melton on Saturday at 2.15pm at Melton Recreation Reserve
CLUB: MELTON SOUTH
COACH: Heath Pritchard
FOR THE RECORD
(Scoop): The club showed some promise in 2021, what are the expectations of the group ahead of the new season?
(Heath): To start well! We've shown our best is competitive and capable of winning games. We're confident our group will stay in games for longer and avoid 'blowouts'.
(Scoop): Bradley Olsson, Isaac Conway, Paul Curtis and Ryan Pendlebury are significant outs - all four are proven impact players. You've expressed your desire to start the season well and the returns from the midfield group will have a large say in achieving that goal. How are you shaping up in this particular area, renowned as it is for its top-end talent right across the competition?
(Heath): Billy Lloyd, Shaun Wyatt and a fit Matthew Nottman will provide the experience and footy smarts we need through there. I expect we'll give the kids who are training the house down ample opportunity to rotate alongside in a bid to fast track their development.
(Scoop): You've managed to secure experienced duo Dylan Jones (ruck) and Ben Casley (key forward) - tell us about these two signings...
(Heath): Dylan Jones is a 6-foot-7 athletic ruckman and a good ball user. He gives us genuine height advantage at centre bounce, a luxury we haven't had in recent years.
Ben Casley, 6-foot-3, centre half forward, great pair of hands who will provide an extra avenue to goal.
IDENTIFIED STRENGTHS
(Heath): When healthy our ball movement is the testing material - this area was significant in our wins over Bacchus Marsh and Sunbury especially [last year].
IMPROVEMENTS:
(Heath): Defensively be more accountable without the ball, be harder to score against, etc. We've gained some much-needed height in the ruck and an aerial target forward to take the pressure off Dylan Conway, which should hold us in good stead.
PRE-SEASON TRAINING
(Heath): I think we've trained harder during the off-season than we have in recent years. I've been happy with our intensity and we're physically fitter as a result.
DRAW COMMENTS:
(Heath): Can't worry about the draw, we have no control over it. I will say we're happy to be playing all of the eastern sides twice.
PLAYER INS:
Dylan Jones (Williamstown CYMS), Ben Casley (Northern Blues/Williamstown)
PLAYER OUTS:
Isaac Conway (Oakleigh Districts), Bradley Olsson (Old Xavier), Ryan Pendlebury (Sale), Paul Curtis (North Melbourne AFL)
VFL AFFILIATED PLAYERS:
Anthony Anastasio (Port Melbourne)
MELTON SOUTH PASS MARK:
(Heath): Stay healthy and improve our 'away' form.
IMPROVERS: (OUTSIDE OF MELTON SOUTH)
(Heath): Ballarat
FLAG TIP: (OUTSIDE OF MELTON SOUTH)
(Heath): East Point
