Lower Plenty coach Travis Stephens says Bears’ young talent ready to step up

After narrowly avoiding relegation last season, Lower Plenty is confident its young talent and core stars can lift the club back up the NFNL Division 2 ladder.

Josh Turner in action for Lower Plenty. Picture: George Salpigtidis

A strong showing in the first practice match of the pre-season has boosted Lower Plenty coach Travis Stephens’ hopes for 2024.

The Bears faces Riddell District premier Diggers Rest in their first true hitout, testing the club’s promising batch of young talent.

It will be that young talent, combined with a clutch of experienced stars, the club hopes can lift it back up the NFNL Division 2 ladder.

Lower survived relegation by the skin of its teeth last season, finishing just four points ahead of Epping with two wins by an inferior percentage.

A year of natural progression and a graduating under-19s crop will rejuvenate the club’s list.

Jonathon Zapantis celebrates a goal for Lower Plenty. Picture: George Sal

Stephens, taking the reins for the first time, says the playing group has adapted to the gameplan quickly.

“I did (like what I saw), it was obviously a very young group on the weekend that played in the senior team and played against good opposition in Diggers Rest so we got a fair bit out of it,” Stephens said.

“The young kids were keen just to get out there and took the game on but knew when to slow down.

“They followed instruction well and everything that we’ve worked on over the pre-season they tried to implement, which was good.

“There were a few little rusty areas here and there but it’s coming together well – your first practice match is always a bit scratchy.”

“The under-19s, we had eight or nine in the seniors to give them a run, we saw some good things from them.

“They’ll get better every week and play regular senior footy, the spots are there if they want so it’s up to them now.”

While the next generation establishes themselves at the level, Lower will look to its core players to show them the ropes.

The likes of captain Josh Turner, premiership ruckman Patrick Flynn, best-and-fairest winner Jordan Sacco, Joel Leslie and Ciaran Porter remain strong talents.

Stephens said his experienced players, as well as some emerging talents, were leading the way in pre-season.

“The older blokes have really come back fit and in good shape,” he said.

“A few of the young kids are pushing along with their fitness and done a lot of extra work.

“The regulars, big Patty Flynn, younger kids like Jed Wallace and Felix Bell and Joel Leslie and Jasper Collins – guys that have played senior footy before but the penny’s dropped.

“They’ve been positive since day one, that’s the main thing to stay positive and go from there.”

The Bears have added four players over summer.

Mitch Clamp returns after a season off, while Billy Reardon is back after a year with Worri Yallock in the Outer East.

Nick Uzelac moves up the hill from neighbouring Montmorency, while his Research Juniors premiership teammate Lewis Tsourou has jumped across from Preston Bullants.

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Lower has two more practice matches in preparation for Round 1, taking on Division 3 finals contender Heidelberg West and Montmorency Park neighbours Montmorency in an under-23s hitout.

The Bears will then kick off the season hosting last season’s semi-finalist South Morang.

“Every side wants to play finals and win a premiership but we’ve got to – the old cliche – take it one week at a time,” Stephens said.

“Hopefully we stay injury-free this year too, which would be handy.”