Kinglake coach Dave Florance discusses the Lakers’ expectations, preparation

31 for 31: After a reality check in 2024, Kinglake is determined to celebrate its centenary season with a return to NFNL Division 3 finals.

Kinglake captain Bailey Robinson. Picture: Andy Brownbill

After a memorable Northern league return in 2023, Kinglake crashed back to reality in 2024.

However, the Lakers are determined to celebrate their centenary season with a return to NFNL Division 3 finals in 2025.

After just six wins and an eighth-placed finish, last season the club went hunting for more height and depth.

It’s seen the likes of Michael Florance, Dylan Hoysted, Will Graf and Bailey and Connor Caldow arrive over the off-season.

However, the club will have to wait a little bit longer after copping the Round 1 bye.

Lachie White in action for Kinglake. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Kinglake will kick off its campaign with a 100-year celebration against Lalor at Memorial Oval on April 12.

Second-year coach Dave Florance said the club’s young talent and new faces would hopefully see it bounce back up the ladder.

“We just want to continue our improvement from last year,” Florance said.

“Every club will say they want to play finals and aim for a flag and we’re no different, we’ve recruited well and targeted some of the gaps we were missing.

“The improvement we got out of the young fellas last year and their natural progression will be coupled really well with some of the recruited we’ve brought on board.

“We’re aiming for a top-five finish and you never knows what happens from there.”

Florance is joined by his younger brother Michael, crossing from Division 1 power North Heidelberg where he played 18 senior matches last year, including two finals.

Meanwhile, Hoystead arrives after two goal-filled seasons at Avenel in the Kyabram District league, kicking 45 and 47 majors.

“(Michael) was keen enough to have a pick, my brother and I had a few chats during the year about what he wants to do,” Florance said.

“I think he knows the pace of Division 1 football is probably past him now, although he still competed really well, but with family and work I think Division 3 will really suit him.

Kinglake coach Dave Florance. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“He’s been really good, he’s had an uninterrupted pre-season and is quite fit and raring to go.

“Outside of Liam Styles we didn’t have any options to back him up, so we targeted some key position players to compliment what we have.

“Damian Pywell is one of the best ground-level forwards in the competition so if we can have a stand and deliver full forward like Dylan it can free blokes up to do what they do best.”

Jed Tyrrell is the only major departure as he steps up to try his hand at Division 1 football with Hurstbridge.

Bailey Robinson will again captain the club in 2025 and be joined by Mason McAllister, Damian Pywell and Jack Crowe in the leadership group.

Lochlan Kelly, Corey Shenholds and Tommy McErlain have been named emerging leaders.

McAllister, McErlain, Rye Johnson, Lachie and Ben White and evergreen wonder Shane Harvey played all 16 matches last season, while Pywell led the goalkicking with 40 majors.

Florance was looking for the likes of Kelly and McErlain to take on bigger roles this season, while Harvey will once again pull the boots on.

“People like Tommy and Lochie, both the White brothers, will progress even further,” he said.

“A fella who played a little bit of senior footy but was in-and-out with work commitments, young Rory McIntyre, can trouble a few with the way he goes about it. He’s got a knack of finding the footy.

“Shane’s going around again, we had a training day on Saturday and an intra-club so he came up.

“He’s been really good training in the off-season, keeping himself in reasonable nick, and he never loses his skill set. He’s smart enough to be where the footy is and quick enough to get rid of it.”

Kinglake will play its first practice match of the pre-season on Saturday against Outer East Premier Division club Mt Evelyn before a hitout against Geelong league outfit St Albans.

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After hosting Lalor, the Lakers will travel to Epping and then Kilmore in a tough fortnight.

Florance said the centenary match would be a big day for the club and the entire Kinglake community.

“It’s a really good thing for the club and community, one of our values is the connection we have with the community,” he said.

“It’s exciting with a new committee and with the history of the club, it will be a big year for the club.”