Smythesdale's bid to return to the Central Highlands Football League senior competition is firmly on track, president David Tuohy says.
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The Bulldogs opted to only field a reserves team this season due to a lack of players both numerically and in quality.
But Tuohy's confident statement comes off the back of Smythesdale's shock victory over reigning seniors and reserves premier Springbank - a win that Tuohy ranks as one of the club's best.
The Bulldogs won by seven points to move to 4-2 and sit seventh of the ladder.
Springbank's senior team had the bye, meaning there was no shortage of availability for the clash, although the majority of senior group were given a week off.
Nonetheless, it was a significant step in Smythesdale's return to the senior ranks.
“It was pretty massive. In terms of winning games of football, it’s definitely up there for the club,” Tuohy said.
“There’s a good chance we could play finals, which would be massive for the club and hopefully it could change the view of how a lot of people look at us and we might get some more numbers.
“We definitely want to be fielding two sides next year – that’s a big priority.
“It was agreed (with the league) to be one year and that’s what we want as well, we don’t want to be playing a couple of seasons without a senior side.”
Despite the club’s difficult circumstances, its decision to field one side in the reserves competition has been met with criticism in certain parts of the community. But Tuohy dismissed those claims and said the club was desperate to return to the top flight.
After losing more than 12 players from last year’s senior line-up and struggling to recruit any quality players to the club, it is hoped the unique exemption will ensure Smythesdale’s longevity in the competition.
“There’s also a lot of positive comments.
“The decision we made not to fill a senior side was a big decision and a hard call.
“The reality is it’s not a senior side...it’s not our side from last year. They’ve got a bit of belief in themselves that they are capable of winning big matches like that.”