A FASTER brand of football is the key to Heidelberg going one better in 2015 according to senior coach Craig Hunter.
The Tigers rewarded themselves with the Division 1 minor premiership last year after a productive season that netted 18 wins, before suffering a 41-point Grand Final loss to Greensborough.
The Grand Final loss was Heidelberg’s fourth in the past five years.
In the aftermath of the Grand Final defeat, Hunter identified a weakness that was preventing his side from excelling – its ability to score heavily.
Despite having the third best percentage in Division 1, the Tigers averaged a score of only 76 points per game last year – ranked eighth in the competition ahead of only Eltham and Whittlesea.
In comparison, fellow Grand Finalist Greensborough averaged 100 points a game.
“Our ability to score heavily is certainly something we have been working on over the pre-season,” Hunter told NFL.org.au.
“We kept sides in games a lot last year because we were unable to put them away.”
Hunter hopes the off-season acquisition of former St.Kilda forward Daniel Archer will give his side the extra fire power they are searching for.
Archer will join Jordan Treloar and Chaz Sargeant up forward, with the dynamic trio sure to give opposition defenders some headaches over the duration of the season.
“Those three guys can be a serious weapon for us this year,” Hunter said.
“Our backline was our major strength last season, so hopefully an increased output from our forward line can see us take that next step in 2015.”
The Tigers have been very industrious this off-season in trying to perfect their transition from the back line to the forward line.
Hunter believes that moving the ball more fluently and with greater velocity will give his side more scoring opportunities.
“Our ball movement is something that we have put an emphasis on this pre-season,” he said.
“We have some firepower up forward, so moving the ball quickly will give those guys the best opportunity to hit the scoreboard.”
Hunter is expecting another tight Division 1 season, listing Greensborough, Macleod, Bundoora and Montmorency as the major contenders.
“I think the gap between the best and worst is pretty small,” Hunter said.
“If you’re slightly off, you’ll get done. That’s how even this competition is.”
Hunter has also forecasted possible breakout years for Jake McNamara and Harley Mozdzierz.
McNamara and Mozdzierz played 16 and eight games respectively in 2014, and Hunter is hoping they can both take further strides in their development this season.
“We do have a pretty young group,” he said.
“Guys like (Jake) McNamara and (Harley) Mozdzierz I think are ready to take that next step.”
Hunter believes the Tigers are poised to begin the season in tip-top shape following an encouraging pre-season.
“We are really happy with our pre-season, the boys have been excellent,” Hunter said.
“Everyone is really excited for the season to get underway so we can have another crack at it.”
Heidelberg will begin its 2015 campaign against Bundoora at Yulong Reserve on April 11.
