Outer East: Brendan Donovan re-signs as Olinda-Ferny Creek coach
Re-signed Olinda-Ferny Creek coach Brendan Donovan says his club is in the market to recruit for 2021, with the premiership mentor declaring exactly what his top division side needs...
Local Footy
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Olinda-Ferny Creek coach Brendan Donovan will look to address his club’s on-field needs as it aims to return to finals in Outer East’s top division.
The 2017 premiership coach recently signed on for 2021 marking his sixth year at the helm and has identified the key areas he needs to bolster for his side to improve on its seventh-placed finish and 5-11 record in 2019, after missing the finals for the first time in four seasons.
Donovan declared the club is on the hunt for “a couple of marquee players”, with the top priority a tall back to shore up the Bloods’ defence.
Midfield depth is also on the radar.
“We’re also looking to improve a bit of depth through our midfield and a couple of smaller forwards would be ideal,” Donovan said.
“Our ruck stocks are really good so ideally an inside mid and a couple of smart forwards which would really complement our list.”
Meanwhile, the majority of the list is set to return in 2021, despite the reduced $90,000 player payment ceiling for Premier Division from next season.
“We’re going to lose a couple but that’s OK – the bulk of our list has recommitted and that’s exciting,” Donovan said.
“We feel like we’re on the path to getting better and being really competitive in Premier, and that’s where we want the club to be – striving to be the best it can.”
Donovan said while planning for pre-season amid the uncertainty of a starting time frame was a challenge, the club would take a cautious approach with a later than usual start to season 2021 likely.
“I think all the boys are keen,” he said.
“Once we can get into it in some form we’ll be doing something but we’ve got to be cautious too because I think we’ll have a reasonably late start to next year so we’ve got to hedge our bets a little bit too that it’s going to be a long year and we don’t want to burn our guys out either.
“Our focus really is on making sure they’re enjoying themselves.”
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