Montmorency coach Nick Rutley discusses the Magpies’ expectations, preparations

31 for 31: Montmorency coach Nick Rutley says he learnt plenty from last year’s grand final loss and feedback from his players has led to a big gameplan change.

Billy Jenkin on the run for Montmorency. Picture: Andrew Batsch

While some can’t bear to watch a grand final defeat again, it’s become compulsory viewing for Montmorency coach Nick Rutley.

After being within three goals, the Magpies lost by 40 points in last year’s NFNL Division 1 decider against Heidelberg and Rutley has reviewed the game from every angle.

He’s shouldered the blame for the performance, revealing he might not have given his players the best opportunity.

Feedback from the playing group has also seen changes to the gameplan this season, while a new-look attack will be unveiled following the departures of Patrick Fitzgerald and Ayhan Bajramov.

Rutley said he learnt a lot from the entire grand final experience.

A dejected Montmorency team after losing the grand final. Picture: Andrew Batsch

“We deserved to be there but we were out-played, out-worked, out-performed on the day and a lot of responsibility falls on my shoulders,” Rutley said.

“I don’t think I set the boys up to succeed on the day.

“We reviewed it really hard, I actually got people that are close to me to pick it apart.

“You hear stories of people saying ‘I can’t watch it’, I got obsessed watching it.

“We had some great moments and could have got within a couple of kicks, people will take about the class or talent but what I don’t hear is Heidelberg’s ability to work, their work ethic was off the charts and they had wounded soldiers as well.”

However, he said it would be a mistake to focus solely on the Tigers as a result.

“There’s more than one team in this competition, it’s not just Montmorency against Heidelberg,” he said.

“If we sleep on the rest of the comp, we’ll get our arses kicked, and I’ve seen clubs do that in the past – Croydon did that after a grand final against Vermont, they thought they just had to beat Vermont the next year.

“We won a prelim by two points, that game could have gone either way, you’ve got Hurstbridge, Banyule will be interesting with a new coaching structure and never write off North Heidelberg.”

Former Adelaide Crow Ben Davis will be a full-time addition this season after stepping away from VFL duties.

Marcus Lentini wraps up his Bundoora opponent. Picture: Josh Chadwick)

Connor Dalgleish returns to Montmorency Park from Yarraville-Seddon, Hudson Holmes joins his brother Nash from Sale, Jackson Bowne jumps across from Bundoora and Matt Shannon arrives fresh off a NTFL premiership with Southern Districts.

VFL-listed Will Bella, Ryan Sturgess (both Coburg) and Jimmy Miller (Port Melbourne) have jumped on board.

The Magpies also have Ben Crick, Braedyn and Jordan Gillard (Coburg), Patrick Dozzi, Flynn Riley (Carlton), Lachlan Batchelor (Collingwood), Cam Nyko (Essendon) and Harvey Hooper (Port Melbourne) on state league lists.

“From an age point of view we will be (younger), we’ve brought in some talented guys that are a bit older and come with senior experience,” Rutley said.

“Connor comes back as a one-pointer, which we love.

“Hudson, brother of Nash, can play at either end and through the middle of the ground. A different player to Nash, taller, a bit longer and more of a setting the game up by foot.

“Matt’s CV speaks for itself, VFL player, just came off a premiership in the NT, inside mid and we’re looking forward to plugging him in.

“Jackson is going to light the comp up, the kid has been super impressive, and then we’ve got guys like Sam Binion and Jarrad Seiter who were limited with injury and Aaron Doyle and Levi McCormack we never really got to see.”

One of the biggest changes from last season will be the club’s offence.

Fitzgerald and Bajramov booted almost 70 goals between them last year.

Rutley said there would be more freedom of expression for his players.

“The most important thing this pre-season has been to release and not be so militant on the offensive side of the ball,” he said.

“We got feedback from the players and the leadership group said we loved year one but we need some grace, we’re a talented team and they felt we were a little bit too structured.

“We’ve got a bit more depth and speed through there, Stef Uzelac will play in front of the footy.

DIV 2: WHY FLAG ISN’T EVERYTHING AT DIAMOND CREEK

LEADER: GET YOUR NORTHERN FOOTY NEWS HERE

DIV 3: WHY THE BUZZ IS BACK AT FITZROY STARS

“Connor Dalgleish coming in and Lachlan Butcher having another pre-season under his belt helps us and we’ve got a few VFL talls who could potentially come back.

“Ben Paterson has had an enormous pre-season and Corey Sleep likewise, Jacob Naismith and Nick Uzelac have also been really impressive.”

Nick Uzelac won the Division 1 reserve grade league best-and-fairest last year.

Montmorency will kick off its 2025 campaign with a trip to Banyule before hosting promotion-winner South Morang, then facing Eltham and North Heidelberg in the opening month.