SITTING fourth on the Division 2 ladder after a 108-point demolishing of Mernda, new Hurstbridge playing-coach Michael Ryan has a measured, yet upbeat mood swirling through Ben Frilay Oval.
Four wins and three losses after seven rounds and three lean years entitles the Bridges to be gung-ho about their prospects for success in 2015, with Ryan leading the enthusiasm charge.
“So far I’ve been pretty happy with our form. Ideally I hope to be 5-3 at the break, that was our aim,” Ryan said ahead of a clash with Whittlesea in Round 8.
Under Ryan, Hurstbridge went on a recruiting frenzy in the off-season adding several premiership players to its list.
Two-time premiership captain Brayden Shaw, along with two-time premiership player Micheal Farrelly (Bundoora), premiership ruckman John Kreuzer (Bundoora, Epping), Diamond Creek trio, Tyron Loader, Chris and Ryan Burton, and Jarrod Tilley (Epping) all joined the fold.
None have missed a beat and all are proving their worth, according to Ryan.
“They’ve all been fantastic, I’d say Jarrod Tilley and Tyron Loader so far have been the pick of the bunch. All the guys have fitted into the club perfectly, and the playing 22. They’re all valued members of the team,” Ryan said.
“They’re all enjoying their footy, so that’s the main thing.”
The Bridges’ newest recruit, five-time Heidelberg premiership player Blair Harvey, pulled on the boots for his new club last weekend in the big win over Mernda.
Ryan believes the four-time Tigers premiership captain has had an immediate impact on his new teammates.
“Blair played his first game for us on Saturday and was our best player. Straight away, just his leadership out on the field and the voice he brings, and also the directions he gives the young kids,” he said.
“His work ethic across the ground is the reason why he’s been so successful for so long, and he’s starting to impart that knowledge onto the young kids as well, which has been a great bonus for us.”
The weight of expectation does not worry, nor hinder the Bridges nor Ryan off the back of an active off-season of recruiting.
“As the season goes on, I think we’ll start getting better as a group. But the kids have all become pretty close off the field, so I think that’s helping a lot.
“The closer they become off the field, the better they’re going to become on the field and they’re starting to know the way they play, their running patterns and things like that.
“They’re starting to gel a lot more.”
Narrowly avoiding relegation from Division 2 in the past two years, the mood of exuberance at the Club has been a constant for the Bridges during Ryan’s time.
“The mood even last year (was upbeat), it’s a very good club, very, very young, the kids are always up and about.
“They just love playing footy from 2-5, and that’s all they really want to do, and off the field they’re a great bunch of kids, they enjoy each other’s company, they’re pretty close mates.”
It is the constant, supreme verve at Hurstbridge that both attracts, and retains quality personnel, Ryan believes.
“That’s what makes the environment at the club such a conducive environment to get good people there. All the guys who have come from other clubs this year are really enjoying their time.”
Michael Ryan knows what it takes to be successful, playing in premierships with Lower Plenty in 2011 and Bundoora in 2013.
And, in Ryan’s first season as playing-coach, the challenges present weekly, but the playing group, Club, and off-field mates have all declared their unwavering support.
“It’s definitely a challenge, but I’m enjoying it very much. I think they’re a very respectful group, very coachable so it does make my job very easy,” he said.
“I’ve got some good mentors away from footy in Garry Ramsay and Richard Geary who I can have a chat to as well outside of football for some advice.
“I’ve been very fortunate having plenty of support off the field as well as on the field from the playing group too which makes it a lot easier.”
