Wallan coach Daniel Nolan says there’s plenty of motivation at club despite chance at redemption being snatched away
Wallan’s season of redemption was taken away by the COVID-19 pandemic but re-signed coach Daniel Nolan has no doubt his players will be fired up when 2021 rolls around.
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Wallan coach Daniel Nolan has no doubt his players will be fired up for 2021 after having their season of redemption snatched away.
The Magpies were hoping 2020 would be a year of atonement after copping an 85-point drubbing from Rupertswood in the Riddell District grand final last season.
While revenge won’t be the motivating factor in 2021, Nolan was confident his players would be ready to prove themselves.
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“The motivation and drive internally is there based on last year, we had a tremendous finals series and playing off in the grand final,” he said.
“It’s been a long time since Wallan have won a senior premiership, so although this season was taken away from us the players are very eager to get amongst it again.
“We came close to the ultimate prize last year and felt we had a strong list to compete again this year before COVID came in.
“We’ve got depth, our reserves won the premiership last year and we had nine players 22 and under in the grand final last year, so the youth is there as well.”
Last year was Wallan’s first senior grand final appearance since 2000 and the club hasn’t tasted senior premiership success since 1992.
Nolan brought in a strong recruiting class over the summer, including Shaun Huy from Kyneton, Matthew Bonello, Cody Lynch and Tallan Wright (all Greenvale) and Jake Hall (Broadford).
Nolan also talked up Ricky Schraven’s pre-season, labelling him a Bowen Medal contender, and spearhead Matthew Perri after his 100-goal season.
Entering his sixth year leading the club, Nolan was looking forward to bringing his players together when COVID-19 restrictions are eased.
“You have to (keep in touch), for the players’ mental health and we’ve handed out training programs for the physical wellbeing,” he said.
“Hopefully once the lockdown finishes we can have some events or training later on in the year.
“The coaching department is very dedicated and professional and I’m inspired by the growth and development of our players.
“Retaining our players is the most important thing and engaging our players to find out what we can fix to make the next step.
“The salary cap is going to impact every club and league around Victoria but I’m very confident we’ve got a culture and playing group that wants to stick together and see out what we’ve been planning for five years now.”