THE RETURN of club legend Steven Marshall has helped revitalised the Lalor Football Club after two seasons of struggle in Division 2.
Having missed the finals by a long way in 2012 and 2013, the Bloods needed fresh ideas and a fresh face to lead their crusade back into the top four.
Enter the club’s favourite son.
With close links to a majority of the playing group – many of which he’d captained during his playing days – Marshall has had an immediate impact as coach of the club he loves.
In his first season in the top job last year, Marshall helped Lalor rise to fourth on the Division 2 ladder before falling to a 28-point first semi final loss to Mernda.
Despite not advancing past the first week of the finals last year, Marshall said the 2014 season was a positive experience for his club as it prepares for a bigger campaign this year.
“To go out first round wasn’t the result we were after but all in all it was an okay year,” Marshall told NFL.org.au.
“Finals are what you look at. I mean you want to win the Grand Final, but to make finals was the goal we set, so to make it was really good, and hopefully this year we go further into the finals.
“It’s been a good experience personally to make finals. I learnt a fair bit like fine tuning my game plan, rules, putting things into place, and other stuff that hopefully makes it all come together this year.”
The disappointment of last year’s early finals exit is still somewhat apparent, but only as a driving mechanism for the year ahead.
As a result, Marshall said his playing group has attacked the pre-season with hunger as it looks to progress deeper in 2015.
“It’s been a solid pre-season. We’ve had some good numbers, definitely more solid than last year,” Marshall said.
“The boys have come back fit and the vast majority of them have probably overshot the mark with the standard which as a coach is really good.
“They are self-driven and have their own expectations as well this year.”
Lalor has strengthened its list significantly during the off-season, with Harley Ryan, Brett Godfrey (Echuca and Diamond Creek), Shane Jacobs (Craigieburn) and former Bloods ruckman Jason Kelly all joining in the summer months.
Ryan is well known within the NFL following stints with Montmorency and North Heidelberg.
“We have a few plans in place for Harley,” Marshall said.
“He played half back for Montmorency and wing at North Heidelberg. He’s a very handy player, and good to have around the club.”
2015 promises to be an even year in Division 2 and Marshall says his playing group is aware of the challenge it faces to again claim a place in the finals come season’s end.
“Everyone is an unknown quantity this year,” he said.
“Fitzroy Stars, Mernda, and obviously Whittlesea coming down from Division 1. You see everyone as a danger, so you don’t take anyone lightly or you could slip up.
“Our goal is to definitely play finals. We want to improve on last year and see the development in the young blokes which is really important. That’s one of our main goals.”
Lalor begins its 2015 campaign with an away trip to Mernda in a replay of last year’s first semi final.
