Whittlesea looking to win fourth premiership in a decade after relegation
31 for 31: It happened in 2013, 2015 and 2019. Can Whittlesea do it again in 2024? New coach Garry Ramsay reveals his expectations for the Eagles.
Northern
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Can Whittlesea continue its recent tradition of bounce-back premierships?
The Eagles are back in NFNL Division 2 after a winless 2023 lead to relegation from the top flight.
In the past decade, the club has a rich history of bounce-back seasons, winning Division 2 premierships in 2013, 2015 and 2019 after finishing last in Division 1 the previous year.
Under new coach Garry Ramsay, Whittlesea will look to keep that run alive.
The club has retained the bulk of its list, while luring club legend Lucas Hobbs back to Whittlesea Showgrounds, where he won flags and best-and-fairests in 2010 and 2013.
Matt Coen and Matt Langford have also returned after stints at Kinglake and will be joined by 2015 premiership captain Andrew Fairchild, who has signed on as an assistant coach.
Ramsay said he’d given the club a very simple mantra this season.
“We’re looking to be the hardest working team in it, that’s our goal, and wherever that leads is OK,” Ramsay said.
“The expectation is to be the hardest working, most disciplined team in it and to play to our potential.
“We’re getting the 19s back and to get ex-Whittlesea players back and really stabilise the club and improve Whittlesea before we look externally.
“A top-three finish gives you the best chance of winning but in the short-term it’s to be the hardest working and then the expectation is to finish top-three.
“Numbers have been great and the enthusiasm has been fantastic.”
Hobbs, Coen and Langford have fitted back in seamlessly.
Whittlesea’s depth of young talent has also stood out to Ramsay.
Deakin Tennant finished third in the club best-and-fairest and Christian Prestopino was named most improved.
Curtis and Mitch Taplin played every game, while the likes of Taidhg Bland, Keidan Treacy, Harry Beattie and Riley Powell got important experience.
“Matty Coen is fantastic, he and Matty Langford have fitted in really easily,” Ramsay said.
“Then you’ve got Hobbsy, who’s a dual premiership player and dual best-and-fairest, so they already know most of the people, which makes it an easy transition.
“They’re all good fellas and they all love Whittlesea, they live local, so it’s just a big bonus.
“I like the way Deakin Tennant and Taidhg Bland go about it, I think they’re ready to make the step up to A-Graders.”
Whittlesea ramps up Round 1 preparations with its first practice match on Sunday against Greensborough at Kilmore’s Clancy Reserve.
The Eagles then face Eastern club Mitcham at Whittlesea Showgrounds before wrapping up the pre-season against VAFA outfit Old Carey.
A clash with Division 3 premier and promotion-winner Laurimar at Whittlesea Showgrounds kicks off the season on April 6.
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The match will mark Ramsay’s return to coaching.
The legendary mentor sat out in 2023 after more than a decade in the top job at Panton Hill, Lower Plenty, Macleod and Montmorency.
“I realised I’d rather be stressed being too busy rather than stressed not busy enough,” Ramsay said.
“I think I missed footy more than footy missed me, so I’m super looking forward to getting back into it.”
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