A HANDFUL of key gains and few significant departures has Learmonth senior coach Brenton Powell confident his team is better placed now than this time last year as it looks to better 2014’s breakthrough finals appearance.
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Powell, preparing for his first campaign as sole leader, feels he has lured a strong batch of senior players who will inject more pace into a side that already boasts plenty of speed.
“I think we have added probably seven or eight guys that can play seniors and only really lost two,” Powell said.
“Our depth has definitely improved.
“I think we are definitely aiming to play finals again and, hopefully, win one this year.”
Perhaps the best of those key recruits is midfielder Brayden Beks, who lands in the Central Highlands Football League from Victorian Amateur Football Association side La Trobe University.
Key backman Edward Sinnott also comes from the VAFA, out of the University Blues, while ex-Redan duo Tait Niddrie and William Simpson, former Hamilton Kangaroos winger/half forward Ben Oswald and last season’s Ballarat Football League reserves runner-up best and fairest Travis Hoyle, from Ballarat, are others to join.
Former Learmonth defender and Daylesford premiership player Nathan Gudgeon is also back at the club, but is only expected to play reserves for the Lakies.
Tall Cam McCallum and fringe player Jordan Fraser were the main senior players to depart Learmonth, Powell said.
“We are not going to be massively tall again, but we were quick last year and I think all the university kids we have added are quick as well,” Powell said.
Learmonth will have three home practice matches before its season starts with a trip to Buninyong on April 11.
The Lakies have games booked against Newlyn on March 18 (night), Carisbrook on March 20 (night) and West Footscray on March 28.
tim.oconnor@fairfaxmedia.com.au
