Stav's Pre Season Update - January 2015

G’day Sharks Fans,

Players and Staff have returned to training refreshed and enthusiastic for 2015. In a break from our standard procedure, we fitness tested our players in sessions 3 and 4, not the normal first  day back testing.

Our standardized running test is 3 x 1km runs, with rest in between each run. I can’t tell you the rest period in between runs, otherwise I’m giving up too much information!

The players performed excellently with many running Personal Bests. This is quite an achievement at this time, as they had 3 weeks away from Club training over Xmas. Perennial running leader, Rory O’Brien completed a PB which is a credit to his professionalism, however he was beaten overall by youngster Jacob Green. Jacob was the winner of the 2013 Jack Clarke Medal in the WAFL Colts competition. Last year he played Reserves. As is often the case, things did not initially gel with Jacob and Senior level Football.We are all wiser in 2015, and Jacob can certainly push for senior selection if he maintains his current approach. He has the capabilities.

Of equal significance, is that Mark McGough completed his first ever fitness test at EFFC! He has never been in a position to complete one previously due to injury.  By the way Mark is getting married in April of this year.  He planned this last year, believing at the time that he would be retired. We are delighted he is continuing in 2015.

Liam Anthony, recently returned from North Melbourne, has commenced training and is performing with distinction, particularly in our ball work drills.   

The players also had their strength and power tested by completing Bench Press, Leg  Squat and Chin Up tests. A couple of powerful boys include Andrew Stephen, Boston Williamson, Rory O’Brien, Jack Fletcher and Mitchell Boyle.

 Our first week, besides the testing, consisted of Fundamental Skill Development. We began our Game Plan sessions this week, building towards our first Practice Match on Saturday March 7 at EFFC.

Prior to this, we will be doing plenty of competitive work, including shorter duration match practice.  

We are still finalizing our senior list. We currently have 70 players at training, which is too many to carry for the season. We will be looking at a squad of 55, plus Supplementary players. In addition, we have 3 Colts age players training with us - Jordan Snadden, Tom Bennett and Oliver Parish. We are currently assessing their playing roles in 2015 and all are talented young players with bright futures, if they stick at it. 

A couple of respected players have departed EFFC:

• Tyler Chalwell is unable to combine his Physiotherapy Career with Senior football in 2015 and is  having at least a year away to concentrate on his work. Tyler was an excellent contributor to EFFC at all levels, and we thought he was on the verge of consolidating at League level.
• The same applies to Kieran King, who is moving to Bunbury for employment reasons.
• Cam Symonds, who has missed much of the last 18 months, is in serious doubt due to a significant ankle injury sustained late in 2014. We are awaiting final advice on this.

The pre-season has been very active both on and off the field at EFFC.  In the 6 months between seasons a lot can alter at WAFL level. Only those diligent and active remain up the top, or climb the ladder. This is something I continually reinforce to the players particularly following the 2012 season. As you would be aware, we played in the 2012 Grand Final. The next year we finished fifth, albeit only winning a few less games overall. And, some were very close losses. However, this was enough to slip from 2^nd to 5^th in 2013.

In my view, we were not at the required level, particularly mentally, until midway through that season. We certainly trained hard enough, but we didn’t have that important competitive and motivational edge. We recaptured this when our season looked bleak, going on to win  6 of our last 7 games.

Whilst we didn’t finish as high in 2014 as 2012, the similarities in the seasons are clear.

We have rested, to give the players sufficient scope to reenergise. This was our main failing in 2012-2013: we never allowed ourselves the scope to get re motivated for the challenges ahead. We have listened to players and staff feedback, and in some aspects acted on this.

Training is slightly different - more Goalkicking, more small group games and less basic drills.  How we set up our team will be adjusted.  You can expect our midfielders to spend more time forward, and even back, than in previous years.   Our team will be capable enough.

We now need to fine tune our play and be ready for a testing opening versus East Perth.

The next period of training is demanding and some players can struggle with balancing work, football and social life during this phase.  Practice matches are often played in stifling conditions. In my view, this is all good practice to be a resilient, hardened footballer.

And it’s only these that ultimately succeed.

So, we will embrace the challenges ahead, and be ready to play competitive and entertaining football in 2015.    

Onward to Victory