Bendigo Advertiser |AFTER years of battling to attract enough players to field an under-18 team, the tide might finally be turning for the Maryborough Football Netball Club.
Magpies’ president Mick Reid confirmed on Wednesday that the Magpies had “30 under-18 players” on their books for 2015.
That’s a stark contrast to previous years where the club has either not fielded an under-18 side or been forced to play with less than a full side.
“Usually at this time of year we’re spending all our time trying to get under-18 players,’’ Reid said.
“This year we’re in a really good position. It makes life a whole lot easier.”
The majority of the Magpies’ 2014 under-18 team still qualify for 2015, while there is plenty of talent coming into the group via last year’s under-16 premiership team.
“Out of the 30 players we have on the list, six of them played senior footy last year,’’ Reid said.
“We’ve got some really good talent there. We just need to focus on keeping these kids at the club.”
The Magpies’ senior team will again heavily focus on youth.
Billy Mahony made a big impression in senior football last year, but he looks set to play with the Bendigo Pioneers in the TAC Cup.
Senior players Tyson MacIlwain, Jayden Hooper (Doncaster), Adam Hurse, Lachlan Edwards and Mick Noonan (MCDFL) have all left the club.
“It’s not ideal to lose those senior players, but we’re confident we’ll get some players in to replace them,’’ Reid said.
“We’re just waiting for some final commitments from a couple of players from Melbourne and some other players over here.
“Just getting these guys to training is the hardest thing at the moment.”
Off the field, the Magpies are doing their best to engage the Maryborough community.
This Sunday the club will hold a free family day, with Hawthorn premiership stars Luke Hodge and Jarryd Roughead the special guests.
The day starts at 12.30pm with an Auskick clinic.
“It’s not often you get people like Luke Hodge and Jarryd Roughead in Maryborough, so we’d love to see everyone come down to the footy club and enjoy the day,’’ Reid said.
“We’ll have a Q and A session with Luke and Jarryd, raffles, auction some memorabilia. The best thing is that it’s a free day for the community. It won’t cost anything to get in.”
