After a disappointing 2013, Parkside coach George Lattouf expects much more next season, as Leader Newspaper reports.
Entering his second year as Parkside coach, George Lattouf knows the blowtorch will be turned up if his side cannot produce results.
Parkside finished sixth from seven teams in the NFL’s third division last year, a result Lattouf said disappointed many around a club that expects success.
He said the onus would be on him and the club’s players to produce better in 2014.
“The footy club have played in finals a few times over the past few years and won a premiership, so last year was the first time they’ve missed the finals for a while,” Lattouf said.
“That was a bit of a kick of the backside and told us we needed to do something about that.”
Recruits have been limited so far as the Devils look to back in their younger players to lead the club’s resurgence.
But Lattouf said he was excited by the return of Billy Hogan, who played 15 games last season with TAC Cup side Oakleigh Chargers.
“We want to incorporate some young kids to play senior footy,” he said.
“We’ve signed up Billy Hogan, one of our boys who played with the Oakleigh Chargers.
“The good thing about Billy is he’s bringing friends who’ve played in the local leagues that now want to play at Parkside.
“That’s a good thing. We don’t want to go out and get every single recruit, we want to incorporate the area as well.”
He said the club’s depth, which was exposed by injuries last year, was an area it needed to address.
The Devils have been buoyed by news most of last year’s playing group will return for next season.
Only Brad Knowles, who has moved to South Australia, has confirmed his departure from Pitcher Park.
“We’re going to miss Knowlesy, but the good thing about it is another guy comes in,” Lattouf said.
He said the club had spoken to other potential recruits, but did not expect to announce any signings for at least a few weeks.
“At the moment we’re talking to a couple of guys,” he said.
“Hopefully prior to Christmas we’ll make a couple of signing."
Parkside starts pre-season training at Pitcher Park, Alphington, this week.
This article was supplied by Leader Newspaper.
