League Preseason Update

Twelve months into the role as league coach, Rob Wiley is feeling positive about the 2017 season.

Building on last year’s inconsistent season, Rob said the boys are laying the foundations for a solid year of football.

“We had some time off over Christmas but the boys have come back in good shape, showing a lot of discipline,” Rob said. 

“The camp we held last fortnight was very challenging, but it was encouraging to see the way the boys bonded together.”

“We’re going forward in 2017, learning from the mistakes of the previous year, and 12 months down the track we have an advanced knowledge of how we want to play the game.”

From a coaching perspective, Rob said the coaching group have been extremely happy with the way the new recruits have settled into the playing group.

“Jonathon Marsh has been outstanding! The way he’s gone about leadership and pulled the other players along with him has been great.” 

“Jesse Mirco, recruited from South Fremantle has been showing some good signs, particularly as a target up forward.”

“We’ve got 20 new faces a training, with a lot of young men giving themselves every opportunity to play some good football.”

“Alex Moreno has been promising as well as Zack Mc Carrey, who has returned to the club and Conor Regan, who played last year, has had an outstanding preseason.”

In preparation for the season ahead, Rob said the boys have been put through their paces. 

“We’ve challenged the boys so when the going gets tough, they can stick together.”  “Having a fitter squad is a must, as well as a better knowledge of our game plan.”

Several of last year’s Colts have made the transition into senior football have been impressive thus far.  

“There is a strong group of young men coming through; we have an environment at East Fremantle where there is no distinction between the young and old, so everyone feels comfortable to have their say.” Whether these boys will play league in 2017 is unknown, but we had three colts make their debut last year in James Harrold, Tom Marshall and Jesse Adamini, so there’s the realisation that if you put in the hard yards you have the chance to play league.”

This year the club will play three preseason matches, rather than the usual two, against Swan Districts, East Perth and West Perth.

“We’re looking forward to those games against opposition, which will certainly give us an indication of where we are at.”

The boys play their first pre-season match on Saturday the 25^th of February (West Perth at Arena Joondalup, starting at 9am) and then face Swan Districts the following week at home.