Season in review: Macedon prove premiership credentials before lockdown

SEASON REVIEW: Macedon coach Al Meldrum believes 2022 will be a true test of clubs’ and players’ characters after another lost season.

Zach Smedley and Jason Cooke celebrate a goal for Macedon. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Recovering from a second straight lost season could be make or break for a lot of clubs, says Macedon coach Al Meldrum.

With local footy wiped out again by COVID lockdowns Meldrum believes fronting up in 2022 will be a true test clubs’ and players’ characters.

The Cats will use it as motivation after finishing the RDFL season with just one loss and eyeing a premiership run before it was cancelled.

“I think you’ve got to use it as extra motivation, you’ve got to ask a bunch of people to go to the well again after a tough couple of years,” Meldrum said.

“I think you’ll see the true character of some club and playing groups, who’s prepared to dig in for the third straight year when you haven’t got much to show for it.

Brodie Hoyne gets a kick away for Macedon. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“Coaches and clubs and leadership groups are going to have to, not so much get creative, but the absence of having something to play for can wear thin on people.

“(The player) want a clear run at it together. The vibe I’m getting is everyone is pretty driven and motivated to reload and go again.”

Strong wins over minor premier Wallan and perennial contender Diggers Rest franked Macedon’s premiership credentials.

Jason Cooke was again prolific in front of goals, bagging 29 majors in eight matches, while skipper James Wright played all nine games in his 10th season.

Matt Dick is a Bowen Medal contender after an outstanding season in midfield and Brodie Hoyne’s move to half-back proved a success.

“We put a lot of credits in the bank when we beat Wallan and then saw what Wallan did to the rest of the competition, I think that would have held us in good stead,” he said.

“Outside of the obvious disappointment that we didn’t get to play for anything in the end, we were really pleased with what we did put out there.”

“Matt Dick was outstanding all year, he started like a house on fire and was a big contributor in every game we played.

Macedon coach Al Meldrum. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“We changed his role this season from previous years, he spent a lot of time leading the charge in midfield and then up forward became quite dangerous.

“Another was Brodie, we changed his role as well, and he became a weapon for us in the backline and the way the season panned out he started to play a lot of midfield minutes as well.

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“Then we’ve got the next breed of youngsters like Ryan Fischer, Tom Hildebrand and Pat Doyle and our recruits like David Morrice were excellent as well.”

Meldrum doesn’t expect Macedon to be big players in the off-season, preferring instead to develop talent from within.

“The priority for me whenever I’ve coached has always been to develop from within and then you identify the gaps,” he said.

“I’ve always been of the mindset when recruiting I try narrow the focus to someone who has a connection, I think the days of making a cold call to the best player is pretty rare.”