University Blacks star Tyson Kruse could be headed for VFL after trialling with Richmond

UNIVERSITY Blacks could be forced to defend its Victorian Amateur Football Association premiership without one of its biggest stars.

VAFA Premier grand final: Collegians v Uni Blacks

UNIVERSITY Blacks could be forced to defend its Victorian Amateur Football Association premiership without one of its biggest stars.

Prolific midfielder Tyson Kruse, who joined the club from North East Australian Football League team Southport last year, has been training with Richmond’s VFL team over the off-season.

Uni Blacks coach Luke O’Connell said the club was confident of retaining most of its 2014 squad, but was waiting to hear whether the Tigers would sign Kruse.

“Tyson Kruse is down at the VFL, which is good for him,” O’Connell said.

“He’s training with Richmond.

“Last time I spoke to him they hadn’t finalised (their list), which was last week.

“They’re getting close, but as far as I know they haven’t finalised.”

Kruse was one of the key components in Uni Blacks’ drought-breaking premiership run and polled strongly in the Premier Division Coaches MVP award.

O’Connell acknowledged taking the reins from Cam Roberts after the club’s first premiership in 40 years could be a poisoned chalice.

He said Uni Blacks would only make small adjustments to the game plan that helped it achieve the ultimate success at Premier level for the first time since 1974.

“That has been pointed out to me,” he said.

“The advantage with (Uni) Blacks is there’s always new guys coming in and a certain amount of change each year.

“That always keeps things exciting.

“In that sense, it’s probably not that different to any other year.”

O’Connell said the club had not recruited heavily, instead focusing its efforts on helping the young players who gained senior experience last year take the next step.

“We’ve have a clearer picture in the next two weeks, but certainly we’ve got some young guys coming through that we’re pretty excited about,” he said.

“Cam played quite a few young blokes last year, so internal improvement will be crucial.

“We’re looking to get our development more internally than from outside.”

Uni Blacks will start a series of practice matches in mid-March, with games against Ajax and Beamauris on its agenda.

The club opens its 2015 campaign against Old Scotch on Saturday, April 11.