Lower Plenty coach Phil Plunkett discusses the Bears’ rebuild and expectations

After an off-season of change at Lower Plenty, coach Phil Plunkett is looking forward to the challenge of rebuilding and blooding the club’s exciting young talent.

Lower Plenty coach Phil Plunkett. Picture: George Sal

Lower Plenty coach Phil Plunkett is preparing for a new coaching challenge – a rebuild.

The Bears saw several key players depart this off-season with Plunkett to turn to the kids for the NFNL Division 2 campaign.

The decorated coach has led Heidelberg to a hat-trick of Division 1 premierships in 2007-09 and Bundoora to the 2013 flag.

He has also led Oak Park to an EDFL Premier Division grand final, been an assistant at Northern Blues (VFL) and Northern Knights (TAC Cup) and coached VAFA club Old Paradians.

Lower Plenty were considered a premiership contender in Plunkett’s first season in charge last year, finishing third before bowing out in the semi-finals.

Alden Meale in action for Lower Plenty. Picture: Andy Brownbill

His second season at Montmorency Park looks set to be very different.

“I haven’t really done a rebuild before,” Plunkett said.

“As we know, we’ve had a bit of personnel change but we’ve had a couple of practice matches now and it’s a really positive atmosphere.

“I said after the game (practice match against Sunshine), we’ve got a lot of young kids and they don’t know how to give up, which I love.

“When things work for them, the excitement on their faces to try and replicate it is really good and that will be an enjoyable side of this year for me. Building this group will be a lot of fun.

“These boys are going out to give their best, the disappointment or excitement of winning or losing is still there no matter what phase of football you’re in.

“Seeing the boys thrive on what we’re trying to achieve is really good.”

Lower Plenty’s departures are well documented, headlined by reigning Division 2 league best-and-fairest Darcy Barden (Macleod), 2021 league medallist Tom Keys (Panton Hill) and Team of the Year players Corey Sleep and Ben Paterson (both Montmorency) and Tom Blake (Panton Hill).

Alexander Alderton fires out a handball for Lower Plenty. Picture: George Sal

Billy Barden (Macleod), Matthew Duckworth (Panton Hill), James Elliott (Blackburn) and Andrew White (Diamond Creek) have also left.

The arrivals include VAFA Division 4 premiership winner and leading goalkicker Riley Alexander (La Trobe) and Matt Ryan (Whittlesea).

Mitch Skipper finished runner-up in the Division 2 under-19 league medal, while Jarred Coutts earned a top-10 finish, while the likes of Felix Bell, Nathan Taphael, Jed Wallace and Hudson Young are part of the Northern Knights program.

Plunkett identified the likes of Joel Leslie, Tom Kelly and Harley Grech as young players ready to take on bigger roles this season.

“Joel Leslie came in as a 19-year-old last year and we put him in the leadership group and he’s turned right into a man, his leadership and voice has just blossomed,” Plunkett said.

“Chris and Jon Zapantis have stood up and I’m enjoying their growth, with the absence of people those guys are jumping into the void.

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“Riley Alexander played his first game on the weekend and it was great to see him gelling with the group and a couple of young kids out of the 19s did a bit of ruck work and they did well.

“Tom Kelly and Harley Grech, they’ll be thereabouts, they’re a little bit light on but only time will give them the opportunity to get bigger.

“A few boys have popped their heads up that I didn’t think were at that level yet that I didn’t think were at that level yet, which is exciting.”

Lower Plenty has already had practice matches against Eastern club Templestowe and WRFL outfit Sunshine and will round out preparations with games against Old Paradians and neighbours Montmorency.

The Bears will kick off the season with a trip to Watsonia.