Whittlesea star Jaron Murphy believes there are no limits for the Eagles as they make their return to Meadows Greyhounds Division 1 this season.
The Eagles have had to bide their time ahead of their return to the top-flight, following the cancellation of the 2020 NFNL season due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
It has been 18 months since the Eagles raised the Division 2 premiership cup at Preston City Oval back in September 2019.
Murphy starred in the grand final triumph, booting four goals in his team’s 27-point victory over Banyule.
Speaking to NFNL.org.au, he said the club was more than optimistic about the upcoming campaign, following a busy off-season recruiting new talent.
“We obviously won the flag in 2019, but the best thing about it was we had a really young group,” Murphy said.
“That is what ‘Stinga’ (senior coach Blair Harvey) tried to push when he came to the club.
“I think having a young group has made it easier getting heaps of younger blokes into the club.”
Making the jump between second and first division has been no easy task for Whittlesea over the past decade.
Since 2010 the Eagles have won the Division 2 premiership four times, however their longest stint in the top-flight has been just three seasons.
But with Blair Harvey – a six-time premiership player and now one-time premiership coach – at the helm there seems to be an air of confidence within the Eagles that they can break the yoyo cycle and remain in the top division long term.
Key signings such as Cam Barrett (Balranald), Daniel Ferronato (Northern Knights), and the three Wild brothers – Cam, Jake and Mitch – have added great depth to the Eagles’ playing squad.
On a personal level, Murphy said he was itching to be back on the playing field and was confident he would be ready to hit the ground running after last year’s cancelled season.
“I’m really happy with where I’m at,” Murphy said.
“I’m obviously starting to get to that age where I should be starting to play some more consistent footy.
“Fitness-wise I feel good. I have had no niggles during the pre-season. To be training well and having the year off, I just want to start playing more consistent footy.”
Whittlesea faces a strong test in its first game back in the top-flight when it hosts 2019 runner-up Greensborough at the Whittlesea Showgrounds on Saturday April 10.
