South Morang coach Gary Hall says Lions ‘most talented group we’ve ever had’
South Morang coach Gary Hall has hailed the return to NFNL Division 2 as a new era for the club saying it has the ‘most talented group we’ve ever had’.
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South Morang coach Gary Hall says this season marks “a new era for the club”.
The Lions return to NFNL Division 2 for the first time since 2013 and the reigning Division 3 premiers are determined to make it stick.
The step up as seen several talented juniors return to Mill Park Lakes Reserve, including Coburg VFL-listed midfielder Josh D’Intinosante and Division 2 Team of the Year defender Lachie Potter.
South Morang has been further boosted by the arrival of AFL premiership-winner and Bundoora legend Gary Moorcroft in a playing assistant coach role.
Hall was excited by the talent at his finger tips.
“It’s probably the most talented group we’ve ever had at the club, they’re all young, all good mates who played their juniors together,” he said.
“It’s just excitement, everyone is positive, it’s a new era for the club.
“The bond is pretty strong, so I’d be highly surprised if we weren’t more than competitive.
“No one really wants to play Div 3 football if you can help it and we always knew coming up would get a lot of those boys back.
“As I said, they’re all good mates, and even Koby Davies – he sat out last year but the year before was at Mont, so he’s another one and had a really good pre-season.”
D’Intinosante (West Preston-Lakeside), Potter (Watsonia) and Moorcroft (year off) headline a strong crop of recruits.
Koby Davies (Montmorency), Beau Moorcroft (Bundoora) and James Traianou (Macleod) have also arrived to bolster a premiership squad that hasn’t lost anyone.
While Moorcroft turns 47 the day after South Morang’s Round 1 clash with St Mary’s, he remains a class player.
The ex-Essendon and Melbourne forward will be a tough proposition for rival defenders but more important is his impact with the Lions’ cubs.
“Obviously they respect him and listen to his input and he leads by example on the track as well. He’s been a good influence,” Hall said.
“We’ll leave it up to him and how his body is feeling but I’ll say one thing he’s in pretty good nick and hardly missed a training night.
“I wouldn’t like to be lining up against him that’s for sure, I think he’ll put a lot of teams under a bit of pressure.”
South Morang lasted two seasons in Division 2 after winning the 2011 premiership and won just one game in its relegation year.
Hall’s team warmed up for the season with a pair strong hit outs against Eastern Division 2 club East Burwood and Outer East outfit Yarra Glen.
The Lions will get a good taste for the competition in the opening three weeks with last-season’s sixth and fifth-placed finishers St Mary’s (home) and Thomastown (away) before a critical clash against Epping at home in Round 3.
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It then faces premiership contenders Diamond Creek and Eltham – both on the road – in the following fortnight, making a strong start vital.
“(St Mary’s and Thomastown) are the type of teams that are going to be fighting for fourth and fifth spots,” Hall said.
“If we can get a win in the first couple of weeks it would set the season up for sure.
“We want to consolidate, obviously, and make sure we don’t go back down. We’ve worked hard putting things in place to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
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