Premiership coach Marcus Barber is back to work with a group of eager blokes, young, old and balding with his eclectic coaching style to help players get to the higher levels they want to and also manage the creaking old bodies that need the people management of a man with a legion of knowledge that only he has.
So if you are undecided about whether to pull the boots on again or whether you have just finished an U 19 season and want a year off, come down, get involved, you will not regret the decision and the mate ship this club has to offer.
The Senior squad has been at it for quiet some time now and its been great to see last years Norm Smith Medallist equivalent, Karl Sheehan out there looking like Majak Daw on the back page of today's Herald Sun, however with the skin color of Casper the Ghost. Few players that were unlucky not to play in last years Grand Final have used the heartache as motivation in the likes of Sam 'Hendog' Henley and Danny 'Not One' Dean who have been carving up the track from all reports.
Resident rock star Edward Window seems to be benefiting from the off-season 'Doug Bolinger Rug work' he has received and looks as fit as I have seen since I have known him, could he emulate Buddy's feats at Hawthorn and ton up himself this year in front of the big sticks?
If not he will come pretty close. The pantheon of Wearl, Matty Jackson and the recently engaged 'Relax Man' Toby Ewert will no doubt be back to lead this team to great heights once again in 2010. Theres even a rumour Charles 'Goose' Craig could be back in action this year, the 'Goose could be on the loose', if not on field, definitely off-field.
So far no one has been charged with possessing or trafficking cocaine, no sexual misconduct allegations, just a good family club enjoying the off-season with their mates.
Last year we embraced the challenged and climbed the metaphoric Mt Everest, this year with the challenge that's ahead of us last years achievment is a mere molehill. I cant wait for this year to start and as AFL starts to shadow cricket for the amount of news the media forces down our throats there couldn't be a better time to get back on the track and get involved again if you already haven't.
