Weekly Times |
IT IS a case of out with the old and in with the new at Omeo-Benambra Football Club.
That’s the view of coach David Paech, who in his first year in charge of the Maroons has set about instilling a professional attitude into a playing group with “unfinished business” to fulfil.
Omeo-Benambra defeated Swan Reach by 38 points on Saturday to move to the top of the Omeo and District league ladder, with three home-and-away rounds remaining.
But Paech is well aware that bigger challenges lie ahead.
“We are sitting in a pretty decent position at the moment; it was great to knock off what was the top side going into the game despite being a bit undermanned,” Paech said.
“Swan Reach really punished us through the middle of the ground when we played them earlier in the year, so I was pleased that we were able to press up on them this time around and stop their avenues to goal.
“We were in this position (on top of the ladder) this time last year, only to go into the finals and get rolled in straight sets, so there is certainly a feeling among the boys that they have the chance to redeem themselves.”
The Maroons have adopted a holistic approach to lifting their flag prospects, first appointing former club captain Paech and then undertaking a restructure off the field.
“It was a big focus for me during my coaching presentation to the board and from there going forward that we had to get our ducks in a row off the field,” Paech said.
“We have a new logo, new training gear, new club rooms and a new professional attitude in general, which is making the club a place where people want to play at again.
“Winning premierships are, I believe, a by-product of a stable club off the field, and for a while there our club went away from that, so it is the start of a long-term plan to create an era of dominance for us.”
Omeo-Benambra will meet travel down the hill to take on bottom side Swifts Creek this weekend, then mid-table teams Bruthen and Buchan in the final two rounds.
