RESERVOIR believes an injection of pace is required as it pushes to return to Division 2 for the first time since 2009.
The Mustangs last year played off in their first Grand Final in a decade, where they were soundly beaten by a dominant Thomastown outfit.
Looking to go one step better in 2015, coach Ross Terranova believes additional speed in the forward half is required.
With veteran forwards Ashley Flavel and Toby O’Meara set to continue this season, Terranova said his challenge was to find pace inside Reservoir’s forward 50.
The duo have combined for 294 goals since joining the club in 2012, but Terranova said he would manage their game time this season as he looks to find the right mix when the ball hits the ground.
“We probably just need to add some pace and flair,” Terranova told NFL.org.au.
“Although the front half kicked a lot of goals last year, we were probably too slow when the ball hit the ground so we just need to add some pace.
“We’d also like our midfielders to become more goal kicking midfielders.”
One player Reservoir has added to its ranks this season is Bundoora utility Robert Graham.
The 25-year-old, who has been in and out of the Bulls’ senior team in recent seasons, will add greater versatility to the Mustangs, with Terranova hoping to use him through the midfield and across half back.
Reservoir has also secured former Northcote Park player Jesse Harris and Terranova is hopeful of signing “about five or six” players from Mansfield in coming weeks.
Last year’s runner-up will be without 2014 best and fairest winner Daniel Couwenberg, who is headed to Leitchville Gunbower in the Heathcote District Football League.
Terranova believes it will take a collective effort to replace the ball winner.
“It’s very hard to replace players like Chooka (Couwenberg) who won our best and fairest, but I think with the leadership that we got from Danny O’Sullivan last year we’ll continually improve.
“And there are some good young kids that we had in the two who will probably play in the ones this year.”
With numbers gradually improving on the training track, Terranova doesn’t believe his club will weighed down by the disappointment of last year’s Grand Final loss.
Instead, he said his group would use the hurt as motivation to improve standards as it looks for greater success in 2015.
“I think in the end reality hit us in the face,” Terranova said.
“When you go into a Grand Final you always give yourself a chance to win and we were confident going in. But when you step away and look back it, you say Thomastown was a better side.
“I think a lot of the boys took a lot out of it to understand where we need to get better as a group and as a club in order to go to the next level.
“It’s not only on the field, it’s off the field as well and the way that we conduct ourselves.
“When you get a slap in the face you take a look at it and see where you can improve on and that’s what we’re trying to do.”
With the standard of Division 3 continuing to improve, Reservoir is likely to face stiff competition as it fights for a long-awaited premiership.
Terranova said his club was under no illusions about the challenges that await.
“There’s been a lot of talk around Epping, South Morang and Banyule so that’s not too bad for us. We’ll play each team on their merits,” he said.
“Everyone is going to improve, there is no doubt about that so we’ve just got to improve with them.
“We’re not going to take anyone lightly and that’s the way you should go into every game of footy.”
Reservoir is booked to play practice matches against East Geelong and La Trobe University ahead of its Round 1 clash with South Morang.
