PLAYER CHANGES
Ins: Danny Brewster (Natte Bealiba), Ryan Hatch (Kyabram), Gabriel Wundit (Shepparton), Riley Moon (Mooroopna), Elton Heenan (Mooroopna), Eligh Moore (Stanhope)
Outs: Henry Wedding (Dookie United)
With strong numbers on the track, some big-name recruits and a band of exciting youngsters coming through, there is an air of optimism at Undera heading into the new season.
A late coaching reshuffle sees Mick Kyle return to the top job after three years away, while boom recruit Danny Brewster joins him in the chair as an exciting duo.
First task on the agenda is to improve on the five wins the Lions recorded last year; they showed great competitive spirit at times but were often overawed by the competition’s top teams.
That competitiveness will be the central theme behind Undera’s game style this year.
Kyle said he hoped to see his side fight hard every Saturday.
“We will be competitive enough that’s for sure,” Kyle said.
“There are still a few things we need to put in place, but a lot of the way we play will centre around trying to stay in games and compete for as long as possible.
“The guys have really bought in over the off-season, we’ve recruited well, numbers have been great, and we just can’t wait to get into it.”
When it comes to the Lions, the most exciting aspect of the squad is their youth, as a host of talents appear poised to turn into solid senior contributors.
“We have a lot of 17 and 18-year-olds that will come through the senior list,” Kyle said.
“There is a couple of guys in Will McCartney, Corey Reardon, Logan Campbell, Tristan Castle, there are some good young players there that will be crucial in taking the club forward.”