Whittlesea coach Garry Ramsay discusses major change to season 2025 preparations

Having crashed out of finals in straight sets this season, Whittlesea is taking a different approach to season 2025 and has secured the return of several juniors.

Mitchell Andrews in action for Whittlesea. Picture: George Sal

Whittlesea took one important lesson away from its disappointing straight sets finals exit.

Eagles coach Garry Ramsay concedes his team may have peaked too early.

Having won the NFNL Division 2 minor premiership, losing just one game, consecutive defeats to eventual premier South Morang and Diamond Creek brought the season to a sudden end.

The 17-1 home-and-away campaign was Whittlesea’s best since joining the Northern league in 1992.

It was also the first time the club hadn’t immediately won the premiership after being relegated from Division 1 the year before.

Whittlesea coach Garry Ramsay. Picture: George Sal

Ramsay has corrected accordingly, hopeful of having his outfit at full strength at the business end of the year.

“We might have peaked a bit early this year,” Ramsay said.

“We’re definitely doing things a bit different, we’ll look to have a full, fit list towards the back end of the year.

“If that means we have to tone it down pre-Christmas and not let people play with niggles, at the end we weren’t quite as fit and healthy as we should have been.

“We don’t think we peaked at the right time and I have to take some responsibility for that.”

On the back of the regular season success, Taidhg Bland was crowned the Division 2 league best-and-fairest and finished runner-up in the Coaches’ MVP.

Bland, captain Xavier Dimasi, Mitch Andrews and Jaron Murphy were all named in the Team of the Year.

Whittlesea has bolstered its squad significantly this off-season.

Riley Powell in action for Whittlesea. Picture: George Sal

VFL-listed young gun Zane Anderson (North Heidelberg), 2019 premiership player Nathan Andrews (Laurimar), Riley Gilchrist (Wallan) and Braydon and Corey Avola (Avenel) are all returning juniors.

Experienced big man Jake McNamara has also signed on from Kinglake.

“They’re all Whittlesea people, except one – big Jake McNamara – and he’s been training well,” Ramsay said.

“I don’t think we’re really lost anyone, we might have a retirement or two but that hasn’t been confirmed.

“Braydon Avola has been a standout, he’s training really well, and I really like Nathan Andrews’ enthusiasm.

“Braydon is a very hard-worker and respectful, I really like coaching him.”

Anderson made his VFL debut in Round 21 for Northern Bullants and played 10 matches for the Bulldogs, meanwhile, Gilchrist was a part of Wallan’s Riddell District grand final side.

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Braydon Avola captained Avenel and was named in the Kyabram District Team of the Year, kicking 31 goals in 16 matches.

Ramsay isn’t expecting any more additions before Round 1, content with the talent at his disposal.

Whittlesea played much of 2024, including both finals, with just 22 points.

The Eagles will kick off 2025 on the road against Division 3 premier and promotion-winner Old Paradians at Garvey Oval on April 5, making its home debut in Round 2 against Watsonia.