NFL 2018: Justin Sherman signs on for another Northern Football League season as coach of Laurimar

COACH Justin Sherman says Laurimar is in a “really good position” to achieve success in coming years after re-signing for 2019.

Laurimar is in contention to play finals in its first season under coach Justin Sherman, who has re-signed. Picture: David Smith.

COACH Justin Sherman says Laurimar is in a “really good position” to achieve success in coming years after re-signing for 2019.

The Power are a surprise finals contender in Northern Football League Division 3, boosting their hopes of a top-four finish with recent victories over South Morang and Panton Hill.

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In its second year as a senior club, Laurimar has already lifted its tally from two wins in 2017 to five this season and is challenging more established teams for a finals berth.

Former Brisbane Lion and Western Bulldog Sherman said re-signing with the Doreen club, which is based in a suburb he has called home for eight years, had been an easy call.

“We feel like we are in a really good position to create some success over coming years. I want to continue to be a massive part of that,” Sherman said.

Laurimar has improved defensively this season under coach Justin Sherman. Picture: Richard Serong.

The Power have increased their scoring output from 56 points per game to 80 in their first season under Sherman and are conceding only 70 points per match on average, compared to 113 in 2017.

“We believe success will come, although we are not putting any mark on a win-loss ratio as to what success is,” Laurimar football operations manager Dave Richards said.

“There’s certainly been some very encouraging efforts this year and it has just renewed our faith in the decision we made with Justin.”

Sherman said the number of under-17 players who had been given a taste of senior football this year indicated the club’s future was bright.

“The exciting thing is we have been playing eight or nine under-17s every week and we have been managing to win big games,” he said.

“The experience and the exposure they get from playing in those games … it’s just a good position for the future of the club.”

Laurimar has started re-signing players for next year and Richards said the club would be more focused on retention than bolstering its list for the first time.

“We’ve find people just walk through the door. They have probably stood back for a year and had a look at us and now with what we are achieving and building, we’re getting some quality people and players approaching us,” he said.

The Power will be out to claim another scalp when they host Mernda this Saturday.