Southern Football League club Flagstaff Hill using drones to capture training footage

A SOUTHERN Football League club is flying drones at trainings in a bid to take its game to new heights.

A SOUTHERN Football League club is flying drones at trainings in a bid to take its game to new heights.

Reigning premier Flagstaff Hill has been hovering the camera-equipped aircraft over sessions this pre-season to capture behind-the-goals vision, which it is using to improve its ball movement and zone defence.

“We’ve been filming games for the past three years and have software that cuts packages for each player as well as the team, so its just an extension of that, mainly to get our structures right,” Falcons coach Rod Mitchell said.

Flagstaff Hill assistant coach Darren Vanzetta (left) and head coach Rod Mitchell with a drone. Picture: AAP/Brenton Edwards.

“We’re very structured in how we play and the use of video has certainly enabled us to be as competitive as the way we are.

“The guys really embrace it, they love technology, and it’s all about training and teaching our guys where they need to be.”

The Falcons are only using the drones at training for now, as public space laws prohibit their use on match day.

Flagstaff Hill’s investment in technology this season also includes compiling statistics and GPS player tracking data on iPads.

“We used GPS units last year on the guys but we’ve now got technology where we can actually get live data feeds,” Mitchell said.

“It’s the same as the AFL boys wear and as soon as you get within 10m of the guys who are wearing them, you can get that information on the iPad.”

The Falcons beat Noarlunga in the SFL grand final in September – 12 months after defeating Morphett Vale to claim the club’s first top-flight flag.

Flagstaff Hill after winning last year’s SFL premiership at Noarlunga Oval. Picture: AAP/Keryn Stevens.

Mitchell expected his team would again be hunted by the competition this season but said a swag of recruits and returning players have them well placed for another grand final tilt.

Former captain Max Renfrey returns to the club, along with key forward Jim Menagle, utility Sam Napier, defender Paul Mellen and ruckman Matt Size.

They are joined by recruits Toby McAllister (Keith), Ben Rossi (South Clare) and Jericho John (Kangarilla).

The Falcons will kick the season off at Flagstaff Hill Oval this Sunday with a family fun day from 1pm-5pm.

There will be junior and senior registrations, live music, merchandise, barbecue, bar and children’s entertainment all on offer.