Riddell coach Arron Bray discusses the Bombers’ expectations, recruits
Riddell coach Arron Bray is telling his players to embrace the challenge of being reigning premiers as the Bombers get an immediate test of strength.
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Embrace the hate.
Riddell is preparing for an onslaught as rival clubs come for the reigning Riddell District league premier.
The Bombers learnt plenty from their 2023 defence, which ended in an elimination final defeat, before bouncing back to the top last year.
A stable core of players will look to go back-to-back with only Jesse Horton and Trent Stead missing from last year’s 31-point grand final victory over Wallan.
In their place, experienced midfielder Ben Borg reunites with coach Arron Bray, while young gun Lachy Hay comes across from Macedon.
Grand finalist Wallan, Macedon, Romsey, Kyneton and Woodend-Hesket are all considering premiership contenders.
Bray said the club was looking forward to the challenge.
“When you hold the title, they all want it,” he said.
“We’re expecting it, we’re under no illusions we’re the hunted.
“We’re going to embrace that more than anything.
“Having a core there helps, after bringing in four, five or six last year and getting them used to the system.
“The practice matches we’ve had we’ve moved the ball well, we’ve looked pretty fit, we run pretty hard, so we’ll see what it looks like when the heat in the kitchen goes up.”
Riddell will get an immediate test of its defence.
It hosts preliminary finalist Macedon in the Puka Cup season-opener before a blockbuster Round 2 grand final rematch against Wallan at Greenhill Reserve.
Melton Centrals waits after the Easter break and then a trip to Kyneton in a testing opening month.
Bray said internal competition was keeping the group hungry.
“A couple of guys that were unlucky to miss out due to the club having a full list going into grand final week,” he said.
“Guys like Jackson Wadden and Oscar Besanko are looking pretty good.
“It’s always good to have competition for spots, even though someone might be disappointed on that last day of the year, it makes them work harder to make sure they don’t miss out again.”
Seven players played all 18 matches last year; skipper Josh Grabham, Haydn Ross, Kamen Ogilvie, Dean Galea, Jack Hammerling, Tommy Alkemade and Jacob Chahine.
Evergreen spearhead Galea claimed the league goalkicking award on the way, booting 56 majors, while Dylan Tarczon added 23.
Galea, Ogilvie, Tarczon, Ross, Callum Williamson and Ben Sonogan were all named in the Team of the Year.
Borg arrives from EDFL outfit Rupertswood, having played under Bray.
Hay jumps across from Macedon and will get an immediate reunion with his former clubmates in Round 1.
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Bray has been happy with how the pair have fitted in and the entire team’s pre-season.
“They’ve fitted in seamlessly,” he said.
“Ben is one that’s fitted in a lot easier than some recruits would because he spent a lot of time with me at Rupo. He understands how I like the game to be played.
“And Lachie is learning every session he goes out with us.
“We came back a couple of weeks later but the boys did a pretty running block over the Christmas break and 90 per cent of the boys completed that, which was pleasing.”
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