Fitzroy Stars bank on positives vibes created by Jason Mifsud’s re-signing to help jump into premiership contention

FITZROY Stars general manager Simon Minton-Connell believes the club’s most important off-season signing will be the retention of senior coach Jason Mifsud.

Jason Mifsud has re-signed with Fitzroy Stars for another year. Picture: Mark Dadswell.

FITZROY Stars general manager Simon Minton-Connell believes the club’s most important off-season signing will be the retention of senior coach Jason Mifsud.

While the Division 2 club is aiming to bolster a squad which finished third on the ladder this year, Minton-Connell said re-signing Mifsud had been the Stars’ priority.

The experienced mentor inked a new deal last month, confirming he would stay at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval for a second season.

“That was the number one thing, to show stability,” Minton-Connell said.

“We had a heartbreaker (semi-final loss) and I think the boys scratched their heads a bit about whether to go to the well again.

“Jason is very good with the motivation and really we were about four kicks off top spot.

“We lost four games by two or three points, that was heartbreaking, and then obviously the final.

“Jason’s stability, (re-signing), was a big factor in retaining our list.”

The Stars have been around the mark in recent years without claiming an elusive premiership and achieving their ultimate goal of promotion to the Northern Football League’s top tier.

Fitzroy Stars will be without power forward Daniel Francis next year. Picture: Mark Dadswell.

Minton-Connell said the club sensed it was not far away from securing a long-awaited flag.

“We are not far away, we will be pretty strong and we are not going anywhere,” he said.

The departure of leading goalkicker Daniel Francis, who booted 71 majors this year, has left Fitzroy with a hole to fill in attack.

Minton-Connell said the club was disappointed to farewell the key forward.

While AFL games record holder Brent Harvey’s switch to North Heidelberg has dominated the headlines, Minton-Connell said plenty of other clubs — including the Stars — were leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of glory.

“I don’t think it has scared too many,” he said. “Lower Plenty, they are going to be as strong as ever and a couple of the other clubs, they are having a real crack.”

Minton-Connell said the Stars hoped to add at least four recruits for 2017.