New coach Kevin Fitzgerald believes Rupertswood can take the next step in RDFL in 2016

NEW  Rupertswood coach Kevin Fitzgerald is confident his young squad can take the next step in the Riddel­l District Football League this year.

Steve Burlak of Romsey celebrates a goal during the RDFL footy grand final between Diggers Rest and Romsey played at Romsey on Sunday 20th September, 2015. Picture: Mark Dadswell

NEW  Rupertswood coach Kevin Fitzgerald is confident his young squad can take the next step in the Riddel­l District Football League this year.

The Lancefield premiership coach and former Romsey and Gisborne mentor was appointed to the top job in late September – replacing Ben Jordan – and has since been busy working with the young list he inherited­.

Rupo has retained most of their core playing group from 2015, with the exceptions of Leigh Brennan and Mitchell Gaunt.

But there has only been one addition with Romsey premiership captain Stephen Burlak putting pen to paper with the club.

“He’s the sort of player that we don’t have, someone who’s been very successful,” Fitzgerald said.

“He’s played in a few flags at Romsey and been their captain. So a bit of leadership there is very handy. He’s a very big body which is something else that we don’t really have as well.”

Rupertswood has been involved­ in the action at the pointy end of the season over the past two years but remains winless from three finals outings.

While Fitzgerald was not involved with the club during that period, he has watched some of the finals and one thing has stood out, particularly from last year’s 14-point elimination final defeat to Broadford.

“I didn’t see the game live, but watching the tape of the final against Broadford, in all honesty they got bullied,” Fitzgerald said.

“That’s all there was to it. Talent-wise, I think they were more than capable of doing the job but they were just put off their game. So we have to address that.

“But a 19-year-old bloke becomes a 20-year-old and your 21-year-old becomes 22.

“With that bit more experience­, the expectation is they can win a final and go on from there.”

Rupertswood will host Wallan in a night match at Sunbury’s Clarke Oval for the opening round of the 2016 RDFL season on Friday, April 15.