Of Learmonth’s seven wins last season, all came against sides that would ultimately finish below it on the ladder.
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The Lakies’ inability to defeat the better opposition in the Central Highlands Football League was a point regularly touched on by coach Steve Biggin during 2017 and it’s no surprise bettering that record is a focus for new leader Nick Willox.
Willox was appointed as Biggin’s successor in November, returning to his old club from a stint with Redan.
“A goal would be to take a top four scalp from last year and then definitely we need to win those games that are your eight-point games,” Willox said.
“Finals is always the goal, I think. That’s the benchmark for us and probably the benchmark for most teams who have been around the mark.”
The playing leader will be a big boost to Learmonth’s attacking end, which has been left a little bare by the departure of last season’s leading goal-kicker Matt Bond.
Onballer Richard Zelencich and defender Nick Bone are among the other key departures, but the club has done some good work recruiting in the off-season.
Former Royal Park senior coach Zac Tunbridge has joined as an assistant to Willox and will play as a key defender in the side.
Also adding to the big man stocks is James Pratt and Vincent White. Pratt looks a good addition down back, while White is back at the club and will spend plenty of time in the ruck.
Jason Rae also shapes as a very important inclusion into the Lakies’ engine room.
“We have picked up five or six guys that will contribute to the team from the get-go… and around that good age bracket that the club is looking to build…,” Willox said.
Learmonth has a kind fixture in the early rounds with a number of games against lowly-ranked opponents from 2017.
It all starts with a game against nearby rivals Waubra before five-straight games against sides that missed finals last year.
Q: What do you see as your key on-field strength?
I think with our youngish age bracket, our energy and intent will help us to be on the attack in most games.
Q: What is your key message as coach in 2018?
To trust one another on the field, help one another and work for your teammates.
Q: How have the pre-season preparations gone?
Good. We have had a core group of players do the bulk of sessions and that filters through to the rest and pushes them along.
Q: Which player are you most excited about?
Given it's my first season back and I haven’t seen a lot of them play, I’m excited to see what everyone can do and bring to the team.
Q: Which is the team to beat this season?
I would say Beaufort. Losing a grand final is tough. I’ve been there and you come back hungrier than before, so they’ll be fired up I would think.
The Lakies’ Fact File
COACH
Nick Willox (new)
2017 SEASON
10th position, Seven wins, nine losses
Leading goal-kicker: Matthew Bond, 42 goals
Best and fairest: Brenton Powell
Geoff Taylor Medal top vote-getters: Brenton Powell 16, Todd Curran 5, Richard Zelencich 5, Scott Whiting 5, Brodrick Campbell 5, Matthew Bond 3, Nathan Ross 2, Jye Hutchison 1, Patrick McGuigan 1
KEY ARRIVALS
Nick Willox (Redan), Zac Tunbridge (Royal Park), James Pratt (Kalangadoo), Vincent White (Minyip-Murtoa), Jason Rae (Edenhope-Apsley), Billy Hoye (Sebastopol), Tony Zelencich (Royal Park), Josh Ford (North Wagga)
KEY DEPARTURES
Richard Zelencich (Royal Park), Matt Bond (Talbot), Nick Bone (Nhill), Will Simpson (Ultima)
THE FIXTURE
R1: Waubra (a)
R2: Rokewood-Corindhap (h)
R3: Skipton (a)
R4: Creswick (h)
R5: Carngham-Linton (a)
R6: Clunes (h)
R7: Smythesdale (a)
R8: Springbank (h)
R9: Newlyn (h)
R10: Daylesford (a)
R11: Bungaree (h)
R12: Gordon (a)
R13: Buninyong (h)
R14: Ballan (a)
R15: Dunnstown (h)
R16: Beaufort (a)
R17: Hepburn (h)
THE VERDICT
Hard to see the Lakies troubling the top teams in the competition, but there's certainly enough talent to pinch a place at the bottom end of the top eight.
