EPPING coach Steve Power says the mood within his club has remained upbeat as it prepares to compete in Division 3 for the first time.
After playing in Division 1 just two years ago, the Blues made unwanted history when they became the first club in league history to suffer consecutive relegations.
A percentage difference of just 2.90 cost the Blues their spot in the top flight in 2013, before suffering an equally unfortunate fate last year in Power’s first season as coach.
The Blues sat in fifth place on the ladder at Round 15, before closing out the season with three heavy losses – including a 77-point final-day defeat to Diamond Creek – to finish the year on the bottom of the Division 2 ladder.
It was the only time all season Epping sat in bottom place, with the Creekers finishing on equal points, but with a 4.31 greater percentage.
Preparing for the upcoming season, Power said his playing group had moved past its disappointing end to 2014.
“The mood is really positive. We’re pretty much a whole new side from two years ago so it’s been a real positive,” Power told NFL.org.au.
“We obviously felt that disappointment for the few weeks after the last game and watching some of the finals in second division and stuff like that, but we’re using that as a driving force going into 2015.
“Those last couple of games were pretty tough for the club but to the boys’ credit we’ll bounce back this year and they’ve all been pretty positive towards pre-season.”
There has been a large overhaul of Epping’s playing list over the past two seasons, with only a handful of players remaining from the team that competed in Division 1.
Thirteen senior players left the club after being relegated from the top flight, while Brenton Keating and Daniel Boudoloh departed at the conclusion of last year.
Power said the large exodus had given his younger players a chance to fast-track their development.
“There were really good positive signs during last year with the young group that we had. I think our average age was about 22,” Power said.
“Blokes like Tommy Hughes and Leigh Judd who have been junior players at our footy club really probably stepped up last year. I’m excited about them going forward again.
“Then there are those like Jarrod Agosta who’s our little rover and worked really hard and then you’ve got the new kids like Lucas Aquilina who is only just in under-19s still but who’s showed good promise and I’m looking forward to seeing him keep developing.”
Power said adding bulk to his young playing roster had been a priority this pre-season, as well as working on its both defensive and attack structures. Attack was one area of concern for the Epping last year, kicking over 100 points on just one occasion.
The Blues have had some success during the transfer period, adding Fitzroy Stars trio Justin Settle, Adam Nash and Brendan Kostas, Epping’s Nathan Gardiner, Heathcote forward Chris Chilcott, Mount Waverley’s Brad Wyatt and Montmorency youngster Lewis Harry.
Epping begins the season with a home match against St Mary’s, where it will front up against former assistant coach Con Borg.
