NFL 2019: Lower Plenty to take positive approach after promotion
LOWER Plenty coach Ben Turner has declared the gap has closed between the top tiers of the Northern Football League as his side prepares to return to Division 1.
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LOWER Plenty coach Ben Turner has declared the gap has closed between the top tiers of the Northern Football League as his side prepares to return to Division 1.
The last three Division 2 premiers — Whittlesea, Hurstbridge and North Heidelberg — have avoided relegation the following year, an achievement the Bears plan to replicate in 2019.
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However, Turner is keen to take a more positive approach and is adamant Lower Plenty can be competitive against the NFL’s premier sides.
“We feel the style of footy we are playing is a style (which) has the ability to be able to stack up in Division 1,” Turner said.
“We have just got to be able to do it on a regular basis.
“That’s the difference in Division 2 and Division 1, every game is a really competitive one.”
The Bears have been riding high since their dramatic last-second victory over Eltham in this year’s Division 2 grand final, but Turner said the time had come for the club to “move forward and concentrate on the season to come”.
Lower Plenty is yet to announce any recruits, but has retained most of its premiership side and been working to improve its midfield depth.
Turner said the club had several “irons in the fire”.
“I think that (midfield depth) is something when you’re in Division 1 that you require,” he said.
“Players that can go in and give our midfielders we’ve got on our list already some respite.
“We’ve got some positive key position stocks.
“We’ve obviously got a dominant ruckman (Patrick Flynn) and a ruckman we use as a second ruck (Thomas Blake) who is a very effective second ruck.”
Turner said the difference between Division 1 and 2 remained “significant”, but is confident Lower Plenty will be ready for the jump in class.
“I think what we have seen in the past is sides coming up have come up and acquitted themselves really well,” he said.
“The gap isn’t maybe what it was a few years back.”
Veteran Clint Monger is the only confirmed departure after announcing his retirement.
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