New Fitzroy Doncaster coach Matthew Bremner won’t settle for solid seasons
New Fitzroy Doncaster coach Matthew Bremner is demanding a higher standard and is optimistic his approach can propel the Lions back into the top four.
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Newly appointed Fitzroy Doncaster coach Matt Bremner has wasted no time in outlining the level of expectation he will ask of his Lions.
Bremner – who played 132 First XI matches for Fitzroy Doncaster – was publicly announced as the Lions’ coach on Wednesday evening and has quickly explained where he wants his group to progress.
“I think from looking at the stats and the profile of the list, we’re one or two batters short and one or two bowlers short,” he said.
“We had four players average around the 30 mark; when you look at Carlton they have Harry Smyth who averages 70 and then two or three player’s average over 30.
“You look at Melbourne and they have four players who average in the 40s – you look at our twos this year and we have one player average 30.
“So there’s not the competition for spots and pressure on the First XI players to perform, if you don’t have the pressure from below you can float through with no pressure from the Second XI.
“For me, it’s about depth, I am a firm believer that if you want to have success in the First XI you need to have a strong Second XI.”
Bremner reiterated how he not only wants add some top-end players but develop those within to become prospects for the higher level.
He also says the players’ standards of themselves needs to rise from being satisfied with a solid season to being hungry for more after an extraordinary campaign.
“I want to bring a couple players in but also develop from within,” he said.
“We want to develop players to be long term Fitzroy Doncaster, and hopefully Victorian, players.
“It’s also about not being content with averaging 30 and finishing ninth or 10th on the ladder, it’s about averaging 40, putting your name up for Victorian Second XI selection and getting us up into the top four.
“I want to bring people in, but I also develop what we have and get them to perform to the level we know they can.”
While he is hoping to swing the Lions into action, Bremner is proud of how the club and the First XI group has managed to be a competitive outfit after a turnover of experienced players.
“The group has been managed really well in the last four or five years with a lot of experienced players moving on and never really bottoming out,” he said.
“The group have got some really good experience under their belt and I think we’re on the verge of doing something pretty special over the next two or three if we can add some quality.
“We’re not far away, that’s for sure, we just need to add a few things here or there and we will be right up there.”
In addition to his coaching role, Bremner will also return in a playing capacity to the Second XI to add further depth to the club.
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