MANY wouldn’t blame Whittlesea if it was still on a high after winning the Division 2 premiership last season.
A year after being narrowly relegated from Division 1, the Eagles blitzed the pack last year as they lost just three games throughout 2013.
They did make life hard for themselves when they convincingly lost to the Fitzroy Stars by 51 points in the second semi final. However, they avenged that loss in the Grand Final and won the contest by 19 points.
But a lot has changed since Whittlesea’s premiership win.
Most significantly, they have a new coach in former senior assistant Brad Dean, who oversaw the club’s 2010 and 2013 Division 2 premierships as Peter Bugden’s right-hand man.
So how has life as a coach been treating Dean so far this pre-season?
“I have found it pretty easy and the support I have had from the assistant coaches has made it a smooth transition,” Dean told NFL.org.au.
“I haven’t noticed a lot of difference, other than probably talking a lot more than I would as an assistant coach.
“As an assistant coach I would specifically work with a group of payers, whereas now I have that whole overview of the whole group.
“I’m under no illusions and I will find out more about myself when we really get into the heat of battle. I’m looking forward to seeing how I react under the pressure.”
The club has had key personnel leave in the off-season, with captain Garrett Heenan (above right) retiring and key forward Paul Harrison and midfielder Marcus Webb both deciding to take their talents elsewhere.
Dean nominated recruit Mitch Scholard as someone who could take the spot made vacant by Harrison.
“‘Harro’ was a really good player in first division so he’s not going to be easy to replace,” Dean said.
“Mitch Scholard is a boy we got down from Queensland who we hope with our structure can take the place of what Paul Harrison did for us last year.
“We hope he can make the transition with us and become a really good footballer long term.
“You’re probably not going to replace Garrett with one player. Marcus Webb we feel we have enough boys coming through and we feel we can cover the loss of him.”
At the other end of the spectrum, the club will welcome back key players Janan Daniel (pictured below) and Ben Barker, who both missed last season with knee injuries.
The return of midfielder Daniel is pivotal to Dean in his first year at the helm.
“Janan was here every night in the pre-season just working hard in the gym,” he said.
“All the boys are right behind him so hopefully he can get somewhere near his best.
“I’ve had a few discussions with him just to make sure his expectations aren’t too high.”
With the Eagles starting pre-season a little earlier than most, you get the feeling they intend for their stay in Division 1 to last longer than their previous two-year stint.
With a crop of key young players emerging in the Eagles’ nest, Dean believes a number of the younger Eagles are ready to make the step up into Division 1 senior footy in 2014.
“Riley Dyson’s pre-season probably has been better than anyone’s here,” he said.
“Nathan Andrews has been really good over the pre-season. Benny Russell who played in a premiership last year. They are probably the few youngsters that stand out.
“We have Nathan Stefanile who is probably 21, 22 that we hope can be our number one ruckman this year.”
Dyson and Russell will be unavailable for selection in Round 1 because of an overseas holiday, however Andrews and Stefanile are close to certain starters for the season opener at Bundoora.
While under no illusions of the tough ask facing his club as it makes the move back into the top flight, Dean said his side is aiming to win more games than recently promoted sides, Epping and Lower Plenty.
The previous two Division 2 premiers both won four games in their first season in Division 1.
“If we can keep our best side on the park, I think it’s realistic,” Dean said.
“The expectation for me is to just compete in every single game.
“We want to get a reputation of a side that just doesn’t give up no matter what the situation is. The short term goal is to just turn up quarter by quarter and just have a really red-hot go and never give up.”
With a Round 1 away clash against last year’s Division 1 premier, you’d forgive the Eagles for having a few sleepless night.
However, Dean is unfazed by the challenge.
“I’ve got no problems coming up against last year’s premiers early. It gives us a good idea of where we’re at as a footy club,” he said.
“There’s no point sitting back thinking ‘why couldn’t we play someone else?’ I don’t think it’s gonna get any harder than playing last year’s premiers, unfurling the flag. I’ve got no doubt that Phil Plunkett and Trevor Little have got them ready to go.
“We’ve just got to try and match them for as long as we can. You never know, stranger things have happened.”
Despite Roy Dyson co-captaining the side with Heenan last season, Whittlesea has decided to delay the announcement of a new captain, although a decision is expected shortly.
The Eagles have upcoming practice games against Mansfield and former coach Peter Bugden’s Craigieburn in the coming weeks.
