On grand final day last year, Johno Leoncini was getting ready to take over the Central Highlands Football League reigning premiers in season 2018.
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He had played a big part in Hepburn’s triumph, sitting next to senior coach Jason Olver throughout the campaign.
Despite his hopes, Leoncini was overlooked for the job as Olver’s replacement.
But Clunes came calling and it wasn’t long before the non-playing leader had put pen to paper to make his senior coaching dream a reality.
Leoncini has taken charge of a Magpies outfit that battled under Nemani Valucava in 2017, winning just three games before finishing second last on the ladder.
And his key objective in year one is to earn back some respect.
“As I’ve said from day one, respect is the biggest key for us,” Leoncini said.
“The respect from our community, respect from our supporters, respect from our league and respect from our opposition.
“How do we achieve that? Be competitive and absolutely try to win every game possible.
“Internally, we have done our own (goals) and the vibe around the community has been fantastic. We’re really moving ahead.”
The Clunes list doesn’t appear greatly bolstered, but a couple of new faces have caused some excitement.
Tall Nic Clarke is expected to fill roles in the ruck and up forward, while multiple Navarre premiership player Matt Newton is likely to hold down a position in the team’s defence.
Another big in for the Magpies this year will be past best and fairest winner Mark Paramonov, who injured his anterior cruciate ligament early last season. He is a chance to be selected for round one.
“The good thing is that we have lost no real star-studded player and we’ve recruited pretty good,” Leoncini said.
“We have some good key inclusions and they are good quality people that come with that.”
Q: What do you see as your key on-field strength?
Being a side that has been together for some time, it would be the trust they have in each other.
Q: What is your key message as coach in 2018?
To earn respect from our community, from the league and our opposition. When you are down the bottom of the ladder, a lot of people look at you in a different way. People sort of look at the club and say 'they're not travelling that good, they'll be right, we'll get over them' and sometimes it does get you down. And I think we're better than that.
Q: How have the pre-season preparations gone?
As most clubs would say, it has been great, solid and I certainly can't wait for the season to start.
Q: Which player are you most excited about?
Being my first year at Clunes, there is not one person but instead the whole team. Another year under the belt will certainly show me their attributes.
Q: Which is the team to beat this season?
Looking at the key arrivals from other clubs, it's difficult but I think Beaufort would be one. The remaining top eight sides from last year are looking strong as well.
The Magpies’ Fact File
COACH
Johno Leoncini (new)
2017 SEASON
16th position
Three wins, 13 losses
Leading goal-kicker: Jesse Baird, 15 goals
Best and fairest: Jesse Baird
Geoff Taylor Medal top vote-getters: Jesse Baird 15, Ryan Hudson-Morgan 4, Henry Labastida 3, Ryan Thompson 2, Joshua Thompson 1, Leslie Maroney 1, Khyal Thompson 1
KEY ARRIVALS
Nic Clarke (Modewarre), Matt Newton (Navarre)
KEY DEPARTURES
Nil
THE FIXTURE
R1: Skipton (a)
R2: Creswick (h)
R3: Carngham-Linton (a)
R4: Springbank (h)
R5: Smythesdale (h)
R6: Learmonth (a)
R7: Newlyn (h)
R8: Daylesford (a)
R9: Bungaree (h)
R10: Gordon (a)
R11: Buninyong (h)
R12: Ballan (a)
R13: Dunnstown (h)
R14: Beaufort (a)
R15: Hepburn (h)
R16: Waubra (a)
R17: Rokewood-Corindhap (h)
THE VERDICT
After winning just three games last year, it's hard to see Clunes doing too much damage in 2018.
Coach Johno Leoncini is keen to earn back the respect of the competition and becoming more competitive against the better sides will help achieve that goal.