SFNL: Endeavour Hills coach Matt Peake explains why his side won’t be a ‘one-off’
Endeavour Hills coach Matt Peake has dismissed worries of a premiership hangover, instead affirming his team’s determination for greater success. See why.
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Endeavour Hills coach Matt Peake has canned concerns of a premiership hangover and is instead adamant his side is fuelled for more success.
The Falcons will play in the Southern league’s second division in 2024 after a stirring come-from-behind grand final win over the Frankston Dolphins.
While most clubs enter a new division with the ambitions to just survive, Peake says the days of Endeavour Hills only just keeping its head above water are over.
“It was a big high, being the first time achieving that as a club is awesome, we celebrated hard as you do,” he said.
“But to be brutally honest we had some time off then straight back into planning for that exact reason.
“We don’t want it to be a one-off and just make up the numbers next year and then drop back down – that’s not we’re about.
“We really want to be continually moving forward and getting better as a club, there’s certainly no complacency… to be honest we want to play finals next year and then eventually be in Div 1.
“We won’t shy away from that being our aim, if you want to achieve that then you can’t sit on your hands.”
Peake is realistic and understands his side must improve to reach his expectations in a better competition.
While they’ve added recruits – Fallon Wanganeen, Jake Hough and Kansas Varker – Peake says the Falcons will have ins from within as he expects his young group to match the standard.
“I have watched a fair bit of Div 2 and I have spoken to a lot of coaches,” he said.
“I think there’s a lot of development to still go in our group, the age of our group gives confidence in that.
“I believe the higher standard we go to there will be more growth from our players to match that level and keep playing there.
“Obviously we have to work hard and make sure our standards at training are high but that’s what gives me a lot of confidence that we can step up.
“The number one thing for us was to make sure we have everyone recommitted, especially those younger guys.”
Endeavour Hills starts its season with preliminary finalist Highett on April 6.
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