GREENSBOROUGH coach Ben Turner believes his side is better prepared for the upcoming season than it was heading into 2015.
The Boro last year fell one step short of becoming the first club in six years to defend a Division 1 premiership, losing to Macleod in the grand final.
Speaking to NFL.org.au less than one week out from his side’s Good Friday blockbuster against Eltham, Turner said his side had enjoyed a solid pre-season campaign as it looks to atone for last year’s grand final defeat.
“I reckon across the board we feel like we’re in a better position with our playing group heading into this year,” Turner said.
“Just on the basis of fitness and just in terms of their attitude and application and all sort of things. I think everything just seems to be pointing in a really positive position and we just can’t wait to get out there and play in Round 1.”
Turner said the club’s motto over the entire pre-season had been about continual improvement and sustained success.
“We need to improve, that’s the bottom line,” he said.
“We entered last season as reigning premier and obviously fell on the last hurdle. Now for us it’s all about improvement and trying to right the wrongs.
“There are a number of clubs who have recruited well across the pre-season and the challenge for us is to try to remain inside the five and put ourselves in a strong position come September.
“Our group is another year older and we can’t use the tag as a young group anymore because we’ve got a fair bit of experience in the group now who have played in September.
“What we have come to realise is that premierships are very difficult to win. For us moving forward nothing is a given and we just need to continue to improve.
“To get to the top again we just have to put our best foot forward every week and that starts in one week in Round 1.”
Greensborough has bolstered its playing list over the summer, adding former Carlton midfielder David Ellard and Coburg captain Nick Carnell, who returns to his home club after a distinguished VFL career.
The Boro have also regained the services of Jack Johnston and Matthew Haynes, with the duo both committing to the club full-time after spending recent seasons with the Northern Blues development team.
Ruckman Tim Atkins will be the only member of the Boro’s grand final team who won’t continue with the club in 2016 after transferring to Barooga.
Turner said the club’s newest additions had already made a positive impact on the playing group.
“Obviously David and Nick bring a wealth of knowledge from both walks of life and they’ve both fitted in really, really well,” he said.
“When you have your home-grown boys go off to the VFL, you’re always hopeful that once they finish their time at VFL level they’ll come back and we’ve had a fair bit of success in that area.
“Obviously Jack Johnston and Matty Haynes coming back is a terrific result for us.”
While the majority of Greensborough’s playing list remains settled from last year, the club has made a number of changes to its leadership structure.
Mick Harford has joined from Heidelberg as an assistant coach, replacing Neil Brindley who has moved onto the club’s committee.
Three-time premiership coach Robert Hyde has signed on as Director of Coaching and Brian Hyde has returned as fitness coach.
Meanwhile, reigning best and fairest winner Tristan Stead has stepped up to join Lachlan McQuilkan as co-captain, with Matthew Hyde to remain in the leadership group despite relinquishing the captaincy.
“Tristan is coming off his best season of senior footy and obviously Lachie, if possible, is still raising the bar, even though he has been a consistently good senior footballer for a number of years,” Turner said.
“Both are products of the juniors and have been at the club for a number of years, coming through the under-19s as well. It’s terrific for us and validates what we do as a footy club when you get guys coming through the juniors to eventually captain the senior side.”
Greensborough will play Blackburn on Saturday in its final pre-season hitout before the Good Friday blockbuster at Eltham Central Park.
Given the three-week gap between the club’s Round 1 and Round 2 matches, the Boro will follow the season-opener against the Panthers with another practice match against Doncaster East.
