VAFA: Eltham Collegians desperate to increase player numbers ahead of start of 2018 season

ELTHAM Collegians have issued a call to arms to past players and supporters as they face the dreaded prospect of forfeiting games this year.

Eltham Collegians are battling to find enough players for the 2018 VAFA season. Picture: Sarah Matray.

ELTHAM Collegians have issued a call to arms to past players and supporters as they face the dreaded prospect of forfeiting games this year.

The Turtles have about 45 players committed for their 2018 Victorian Amateur Football Association campaign, but know they will face trouble when injuries hit.

Senior coach John Garrard said the club was confident it would be competitive in Division 2, but was desperate to bolster its depth.

“We want to make sure we won’t be forfeiting any games or playing with 16, 17 or 18 players,” Garrard said.

“We’ve probably had 40-50 guys on the track at different times who have said they are keen to play.

“But we probably need to get over that 60-mark just to make sure we have got coverage every week.

“We don’t have to spend Thursday evenings ringing up past players and people to fill in.”

Garrard said Eltham Collegians had about 65 players on their list last season.

A ‘Turtles Call to Arms’ event will be held on Tuesday from 7.30pm at Eltham College as the club looks to ensure its immediate future.

“There’s probably been 5-10 that have retired or gone to other clubs and there’s probably been another 10 or so that just haven’t been committed,” Garrard said.

“We are trying to put a bit of focus on them and some past players to commit, come back and make sure we don’t have issues of trying to ring up for players.”

Garrard said the Turtles’ club culture and the likelihood of regular game time were two selling points for prospective recruits.

“The only problem we could possibly have is depth with a few injuries,” he said.

“I think our senior team is still pretty strong and will be very competitive.

“When I was coach there 10 years ago, probably one of our strengths was that … depth we had.

“Guys would come in and fill a role. Not a problem.

“That could be stretched a little depending on how many numbers we get and who is going to be playing.”

Eltham Collegians’ campaign starts on April 7 with a home fixture against Whitefriars.