Diamond Creek coach Andrew Tranquilli plays down club’s premiership favouritism
Diamond Creek grand final coach Andrew Tranquilli says there are too many quality teams in NFNL Division 2 to be naming premiership favourites.
Northern
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Diamond Creek coach Andrew Tranquilli has played down his club’s NFNL Division 2 premiership favouritism.
The Creekers will enter the 2024 season as warm favourites to go one better than last year’s grand final defeat.
However, with the likes of South Morang and Thomastown recruiting strongly, the continued improvement of St Mary’s and the return of Whittlesea the competition promises to be fierce.
Diamond Creek has bolstered its own squad with some quality additions, including Coburg VFL-listed Ben Major (Broadbeach), Kyle Kankaanpaa (Montmorency), Bryce East, Mitch Dale (both Hurstbridge) and Brad Moore (Heidelberg West).
Tranquilli said his players had returned with a “fire in the belly” but played down talk the flag was the Creekers’ to lose.
“We had a terrific year, we probably exceeded expectations – even our own to a degree – but it’s shown we’ve got the capability and we need to make sure we find that little bit extra,” Tranquilli said.
“I don’t see (us as favourites) because I don’t think we’ve recruited anywhere near what South Morang and Thomastown have and you’ve got to respect Whittlesea coming down.
“(Whittlesea) under the rein of Garry Ramsay, who’s a proven coach and knows how to develop a gameplan.
“I put down Thomastown as the one to watch and South Morang, who they’ve recruited and retained, they’re going to be tough to beat.
“Then you’ve got St Mary’s, they finished third and were third by a long way, so they’ve got to be respected.
“We saw what South Morang did last year, who’s to say that Laurimar won’t be doing that, and Panton Hill – they took our scalp last year.
“It’s a dangerous game throwing favouritism out at this early stage based on what happened in 2023 but there’s also a body of work, I guess, as to why people have that rationale.”
Even if it’s not the club’s year this season, Tranquilli has no doubt it will remain a contender for years to come.
An influx of young talent from the club’s under-17 and under-19 title-winning teams gives the club enviable depth and puts it in a strong position if promotion is achieved.
“The kids coming through provide a spark to the older guys and also to the coaching panel, with fresh blood to teach and nurture and grow into the system,” Tranquilli said.
“Half our 19s become open age automatically and our 17s step up to 19s, to the point where we’re fielding two sides.
“There’s a lot of people wearing the Diamond Creek jumper, which gives us an opportunity to enhance development, and create a broader premiership window – up to five years really with these kids coming through.”
On top of the club’s recruiting, it has received a huge boost with the return of Jacob Booth full-time from VFL.
Skipper Nathan Searl (third) and Dale Marshall (sixth) both earned top-10 finishes in the Division 2 league best-and-fairest last season, while Booth (second), Nick Barro and Tyler Barnes were all top-10 in the Coaches’ MVP.
Booth, Searl, Barro and Joel Randall were all recognised with Team of the Year selection.
The Creekers owned the No.1 offence and defence last season, scoring 166 more points than Eltham and conceding 68 fewer points.
An improved fitness was the first priority over summer.
“Our 2km time trials, the times overall have been very impressive across the board,” Tranquilli said.
DIV 3: LALOR CELEBRATING SMALL WINS AS REBUILD BEGINS
LEADER: GET YOUR NORTHERN FOOTY NEWS HERE
DIV 3: OLD ELTHAM SET FOR EARLY FINALS TASTE
“A KPI was we want to have as many as we can break the seven minute barrier and the growth on that from last year is up 100 per cent.
“We had a lot of boys come back really fit, which has given them a really strong pre-season to standout for selection for Round 1.
“That includes the kids like Liam Farrar, Taj Logan, Blake Wylie and Jett McLaughlan, who are all on the (Northern) Knights list, they’re going to be weapons for us when available.”
Diamond Creek kicks off its season on April 6 when it hosts Panton Hill at Coventry Oval.
How Bundoora prepared for biggest game of the year
Bundoora captain Peter McEvoy details how the club prepared for arguably its most important game of the season with its place in NFNL Division 1 on the line.
Lower Plenty survives late scare to end winless run
Lower Plenty put an end to its seven-game losing streak against Old Paradians but not without some late drama.