The Eagles will return to Division 2 next season after exiting the top flight in the closest relegation battle experienced in league history.
Needing to keep within 29 points of Lower Plenty on the final day of the home and away season, the Eagles suffered a 37-point home defeat to the Bears to sink to last place on the Division 1 ladder by 0.81 per cent.
Coach Peter Bugden said the anguish his club experienced at the conclusion of the home and away season had galvanised his playing group for the upcoming Division 2 campaign, with 110 players already training with the club prior to Christmas.
As he enters his sixth year in charge of the Eagles, Bugden stressed only hard work would enable the Eagles a swift return to the top flight.
“It’s important we understand that we now have a great challenge ahead of us,” Bugden told NFL.org.au.
“It took us 30 years to win a flag in Division 2 so for us to go back and say that someone is going to hand us another is not true.
“We’ve got to work our backsides off just like we were in Division 1.”
While managing just eight wins and two draws in their two seasons in the top flight, the Eagles were competitive in most outings and managed to pull off a number of notable achievements – namely beating Northcote Park in its premiership year and regular finalist West Preston-Lakeside.
Bugden labelled the two years as “credible”, but conceded the club’s efforts ultimately weren’t good enough.
With Christmas approaching, the Eagles are already firming as warm favourites to take out the Division 2 flag next season and their coach believes they must absorb that pressure in order to fulfil their potential.
While warning his side against falling into complacency, Bugden is happy to set the bar high for his club.
“We’re not taking anything for granted but we’re aiming for a top two spot,” Bugden said.
“The reality with any football club you talk to is we’re all aiming to play finals number one, but if you’re realistic about where your list is you strive for a top two position.
“The pressure will be on us very early on in the season and we’ve got to expect that pressure.
“We’ve got to suck it up and really perform week in and week out under that pressure, which I am confident we can do.”
Whittlesea has undergone significant changes to its list since late September.
It has signed Paul Harrison and Brodric Gray from Bundoora, along with Marcus Webb and Ben Tsakmakis (both Broadford), Dale Saddington (Violet Town) and Matt Gersh (Seymour).
However, the club has also farewelled a number of its top-line players, with Rocky Collins, Nick Snowdon, Matthew Quinton and Raygan Tate all departing.
“Our list is going to run fairly deep next year and the pressure will be on the boys to train hard and perform their roles on Saturday,” Bugden said.
“Rocky’s gone for work purposes and has moved over to Western Australia, while the other boys are just seeking a change.
“There’s no hard feeling, we’re on great terms and we’ll see them at social functions.”
Along with the five pre-season signings, Bugden said he was hopeful a number of emerging players would cement their place in the senior side next season.
The Eagles exposed 17 under-19 players to Division 1 senior football in 2012. Of that crop Bugden expects Nathan Stefanile, Nathan Andrews and Michael Brennan to all step up as regular senior players in 2013.
Whittlesea will commence its new Division 2 campaign with a home game against South Morang in Round 1. Its draw pits it against North Heidelberg, Mernda, Lalor and South Morang on three occasions, with two matches against each of Diamond Creek, Fitzroy Stars and Hurstbridge.
Bugden said he was thrilled at the opportunity to take on North Heidelberg and Mernda three times as the club pushes for an instant return to the top flight.
“We’ve obviously got a fierce rivalry with Mernda and North Heidelberg, being the runners-up, we want to play them as often as we can prior to the finals.
“I can honestly say we did everything we could to stay in Division 1 and we’re going to do everything we can to get back to Division 1.”
