Brunswick has been dealt a tough start to the VAFA Division 1 season

Just eight players from Brunswick’s 2019 grand final side ran out on Saturday but coach Tom Hunter is confident his new-look team can turn its season around.

An almost completely new line-up has severely hampered Brunswick’s return to VAFA Division 1.

Just eight players from the club’s 2019 grand final team ran out in Saturday’s rematch against Division 2 premier Whitefriars.

The fixture hasn’t done NOBS any favours either having faced the competition’s top four teams in the opening five rounds.

The 82-point loss to Whitefriars saw Brunswick fall to 0-5 and facing a mammoth task of surviving relegation.

Brunswick has used 35 players already this season, Jed Carey is yet to feature and key forward Chris Ford has played two matches.

Brunswick coach Tom Hunter during his time at Richmond. Picture: Jay Town

First-year coach Tom Hunter said it would take time for his team to jell but was confident it could compete at the level.

“It’s not ideal but apart from the Assumption game and to a degree on the weekend we’ve been in all our games,” he said.

“We’re doing a lot right but we’re a really young side, young in age but also in time played together.

“What I’ve noticed in the Ammos is teams have been together for five or six years, they might bring one or two players in here and there, but the core group stick together.

“We’re a pretty transient club … so it’s about our guys jelling together and playing a bit more together.”

Hunter said the club was working hard on establishing those connections.

“Early on, our forward half, the way we were entering (was a problem) and also we didn’t have a tall option,” he said.

“Chris Ford, who’s played a lot of football for the club, has come back and given us a target forward of the ball.

Brunswick and Whitefriars clash in the VAFA Division 1 grand final in 2019. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“Our midfield’s biggest strength is the contest, they just crack in – Matty Palmer, Fulton-Grigg and Woods, that’s their strength – so we probably lack a bit of polish on the outside.”

Brunswick was desperately unlucky not to breakthrough against Therry Penola in Round 4, going down by a point in a heart-breaker.

The club will look to break its duck this weekend when it hosts St Mary’s Salesian and PEGS at Gillon Oval in the next fortnight.

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St Mary’s has just one win to its name this season after upsetting PEGS on Saturday.

“We love playing at home so I think that will get the boys up and about,” Hunter said.

“How close we’ve been in the last couple of weeks, we’re building towards something, so hopefully this week is the one where the scoreboard reflects how well we’ve been playing.”

Brunswick has yo-yoed between Division 1 and 2 the past three seasons, relegated in 2018 before immediately winning promotion back in 2019.