Woodville-West Torrens Eagles coach Michael Godden aims for 2018 SANFL premiership

FROM the outside it would appear the Eagles’ 2017 season was a missed opportunity but inside the changerooms at Woodville their minor premiership winning year was called a “rebuild”.

Eagles Jared Petrenko and James Boyd on the attack in last season’s preliminary final loss to Sturt. Picture Sarah Reed.

FROM the outside it would appear the Eagles’ 2017 season was a missed opportunity.

Woodville-West Torrens finished as minor premier for the third consecutive season but was dispatched from the finals in straight sets.

Inside the four walls of the Woodville Oval clubrooms, though, the Eagles classed it as a rebuilding year — potentially a scary proposition ahead for the rest of the league.

“It may look from the outside like we need to bounce back (this season) because we lost those two finals but, inside our four walls, the expectation was reasonably low in 2017,” coach Michael Godden said.

Michael Godden took a young Eagles group to a minor premiership in 2017. Picture: AAP/Matt Loxton)

“We obviously lost those two grand finals in 2015 and 2016, but we look at it now as a different campaign, last year a bit of a rebuild and this year a start of a new campaign.

“There shouldn’t be a whole lot of movement in the list for the next four to five years so we are in a good spot to go after that elusive fourth flag.”

The Eagles blooded nine finals debutants in September who will be better for the experience.

One of those was 18-year-old Jack Lukosius, who bagged four goals in his first league game — a preliminary final against eventual premier Sturt.

But Godden said his side would look to multiple options up forward to fill the hole left by three-time Ken Farmer Medallist Michael Wundke.

Emerging star forward Jack Lukosius kicked four goals on debut in last year’s preliminary final. Picture Sarah Reed.

“Wunks is huge loss for us because we’ve obviously relied on him to kick a big score in the past few years and Lachy McGregor is another one who’s moved on out of that forward line,” he said.

“Nick Hayes, Jack Hayes, Jake Johansen, Jack Lukosius, Tom Gray who we got in from Port — so we’ve got some options and good depth there.

“In the end I see it potentially working better for us as we’ll be less predictable, where in the past teams have would always clog up the space in front of Wunks.”

The Eagles take on West Adelaide at Richmond Oval to begin season 2018.

Louis Sharrad will get increased time in the middle for the Eagles. Picture: Tom Huntley

LOOKING AHEAD

GUN RECRUIT

Louis Sharradwill relish the increased midfield time set for him in 2018 after joining from Port Adelaide. The 24 year old was unable to get a consistent run in an engine room often stacked by AFL-listed players at the Magpies. A strong frame at 188cm and 84kg, Sharrad will provide plenty of inside grunt for the Eagles.

ONE TO WATCH

Jack Hayes, the younger brother of Eagles star Nick Hayes, had a breakout campaign last season and showed signs of stepping out from his sibling’s shadow. Kicked 21 goals from his 20 games in 2017 and should add the valuable option of pinch-hitting in the ruck when needed.

RISING STAR

He burst onto the scene and up the draft boards of AFL recruiters in September. Now Jack Lukosius’ rise is to continue this year. Kicked four goals on debut in the preliminary final and should be dangerous in attack for the Eagles when not on state under-18 duty.

BIG OFF-SEASON

Last year’s breakout performer Joe Sinor is set to take his game even further this season, according to coach Michael Godden. A switch to defence netted Sinor SANFL team of the year honours in 2017 and Godden believed he could get even better after a huge pre-season.

2017 SEASON RECALL

FINISHED

Third

BEST & FAIREST

1. J. Sinor

2. P. Stewart

2. Luke Thompson

LEADING GOALKICKER

Michael Wundke 36