BALLARAT Red Devils’ pre-season training is ramping up in earnest, with the club completing its first practice match of the year against Bulleen Lions on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Reds drew against their fellow National Premier Leagues One counterparts 2-2, but coach James Robinson described the hit-out as positive for his young side.
“It’s the first hit-out we’ve had,” Robinson said.
“We’re 27 days from the first match of the season and it was good what we got out of it.”
Nearly all Red Devils players spent 65 minutes on the pitch, with Robinson throwing several young stars into the fray midway through the second half. Importantly, all players got through the match unscathed.
Robinson said the side was “a year wiser” after a tough initiation into the National Premier League Victoria in 2014.
“We know it’s going to be a tough ask this year, but we’re a year wiser and that’s the main thing,” he said. “There have been a lot of lessons learned in terms of pushing on.
“We’ve got quite a few new faces in there and it’s about getting minutes in legs and the structure and style in play.”
The Red Devils will play at least one practice match a week in the lead-up to the season proper.