Eltham star Brent Macaffer believes a year away from football has made the Panthers even more determined to achieve premiership success in MC Labour Division 2.
Speaking to NFNL.org.au, Macaffer said there was an amazing vibe around Eltham Central Park as the club aims to take the next step in their premiership aspirations when football returns to the NFNL in 2021.
“It’s so exciting to be around the place and around all your mates again,” Macaffer said.
“Like most clubs at this time of year and considering we’ve had a year off football as well, it’s just such an exciting time to be a footballer at any level of footy – whether you play Auskick, VFL footy, AFL footy or local footy.
“Rob Hyde is still like our new coach. We haven’t got to play a real game under him and we’re only a few weeks away from that, so there’s so many exciting things happening.”
Following the cancellation of the 2020 season, Macaffer said he was optimistic the year away from footy would do more good than harm for his football club.
“We’ve got a little taste of what Rob is about last pre-season and how he wants to coach and the things he wants to plan for the side.
“Now we get another pre-season under him to learn more, and he gets to know us as a club and the players. He’s knows who plays what position, how they play and what’s he’s got to work with, so I think that’s a massive bonus for us and for Rob.
“Also we’ve got some experienced guys who are in their late 20s and I think there’s maybe myself and one or two others that are in the early 30s and that’s it. The rest of the guys are mid 20s and even early 20s.
“They’re now another year older and developed and I’ve seen that a lot of them have put on so much size, so I think that’s a massive bonus for us too.
“With a year off footy, you won’t know until the game starts if it’s going to be a benefit or not. But all signs I think for us at the moment is that we’ve come back pretty keen and pretty eager and in really good shape.”
Eltham’s key position stocks have been bolstered by Lane Sinclair returning to play full-time after trialling with Collingwood’s VFL team, while Tom Cantwell has joined from MC Labour Division 2 rival St Mary’s.
Macaffer, the reigning competition best and fairest winner, has high hopes for both youngsters.
“Lane Sinclair’s put on some really good size to go with his athletic ability, and he’s had a pre-season down at Collingwood VFL last year. I think he’s one that’s going to take the next step and go from a good player to potentially a top-five player in the club,” Macaffer said.
“I remember playing against Tommy Cantwell at St Mary’s and thinking ‘who is this guy, jumping over our ruckman?’ With Patty Flynn not in the competition and (Dylan) Chapman not at Thomastown, I look at Tommy and think why can’t he be potentially the best ruckman in the competition?”
Macaffer also lauded the positive impact that recruits and former Balwyn teammates Jackson Weatherald and Mark O’Regan were already having on the side.
“Jacko Weatherald has probably been the standout on the track. He’s a star local footballer and he comes into our club potentially as our best player,” Macaffer said.
“Mark O’Regan brings that experience to the side being a three-time best and fairest winner at Balwyn and that’ll be as equally important to us.”
NFNL Team of the Year defender Matt Keys is another former player who returns to the club without missing a game, after looking to join Shepparton United in 2020.
Macaffer said the return of Keys to an already strong backline gives him more confidence about how the Panthers will fare in 2021.
“When we first thought we were losing him, it was almost as big a loss as we could have at the Eltham Football Club,” he said.
“He’s such an enforcer, such a powerful guy and he’s one of those guys that makes you walk taller on the football field knowing he’s down there with you.
“We’ve done really well with the guys we’ve brought into the club and really haven’t lost anyone of note.
“It’s all just names on a bit of paper at the moment, it doesn’t give you four points or anything but it’s still exciting.”
Having played off in a grand final and preliminary final over the past two years, Eltham is expected to again be one of the leading contenders in MC Labour Division 2 in 2021.
And despite there being plenty of stiff competition within a talent-packed MC Labour Division 2 competition, Macaffer said Eltham had to aim high.
“I am one of those older guys so I’m as desperate as ever (to win a flag),” he said.
“Those guys that have come to the football club, they’ve come for those same reasons. We’ve all stuck together. We’re all pushing and driving for the same thing and we’re just so keen to actually get it done this year.”
