Fitzroy coach Luke Mahoney details VAFA Premier B season preparations

Fitzroy needed a final-day miracle to survive relegation in 2019 but a prosperous pre-season has coach Luke Mahoney eyeing a move up the VAFA Premier B ladder.

Julian Turner in action for Fitzroy. Picture: David Crosling

A prosperous pre-season has Fitzroy targeting a finals push in VAFA Premier B.

The Roys needed a last-day miracle to survive relegation in 2019 but have added several quality recruits to the squad for 2021.

In a huge boost to the club’s midfield Nino Lazzaro has committed full-time after spending the last three seasons with Essendon’s VFL team.

Jack McKay (South Australia), Tom Wilson (Albert Park), Nick Devereux (UHS-VU) and Luka Vlassopoulos (Brunswick) have also come on board.

Former junior Tom McKenzie has listed the Lions as his local club but is expected to spend much of his time with Coburg but the club could see more of Werribee-listed big man Darcy Bennett.

Nino Lazzaro in action for Essendon’s VFL team.

Coach Luke Mahoney believes with the influx of talent and development of the club’s young stars – including Jack Hart, Clayton twins, Donovan Toohey, Harrison Grace – finals are achievable.

“We’ve had a huge influx of players, which means we’ve got a lot to chose from. We’ve certainly got a lot more depth than 2019,” he said.

“The exciting thing for us will be the third to fourth year players that come back a lot stronger and fitter and I’m looking forward to them making the next step.

“Along with the recruits and those guys’ development it will go a long way to how far we can go this year.”

Julian Turner in action for Fitzroy. Picture: David Crosling

Sonny Brazier is the only major departure from 2019, with the Northern Bullants-listed forward crossing to South Bendigo.

Relegated teams De La Salle and Old Carey are pre-season premiership favourites while Williamstown CYMS and Ajax won promotion in 2019 and will also be looking to make an impact.

Mahoney said given the 12 months out of the game it was a hard season to predict.

“The hardest thing at the moment you don’t really know how everyone else has gone during this period,” he said.

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“From our end I feel we’re a lot better and a lot better prepared than two years ago and if I compare how the comp played out I can see us fighting it out for a final spot.

“There’s some strong teams that have come down, De La Salle hasn’t been in Prem B for a long time and will be keen to bounce straight back up and Old Carey have always been strong.

“Uni Blacks have been close the last couple of years and Old Haileybury have recruited really well.”

The Roys’ campaign kicks off at Brunswick St Oval against Uni Blacks on Saturday, April 10.