Hoppers Crossing wants players in the 20 to 23 age bracket to step up as the club aims to bridge the gap between a preliminary final and a premiership.
Division one action in the Western Region Football League is fast-moving these days and the top sides need to find ways to better themselves from season to season.
The Warriors were one of the success stories of last year, finishing second on the ladder after the home-and-away rounds and beating grand finalist Werribee Districts and premiers Deer Park during the course of the season. But they bowed out one game short of a grand final.
Warriors coach Steven Kretiuk sees much of the growth at his club coming from within.
“Our plan is for the 20 to 23-year-old kids to take the next step. That’s where we’re going to get our improvement,” he said.
“They’ve now got 40 to 60 games under their belts so we’ve put a lot of pressure on that age group this year.
“We’ve given them a good base. Come round one, it’s up to them.”
Despite the predicted improvement from the younger brigade, Hoppers Crossing has addressed some needs through player transfers, resulting in the deepest playing roster in Kretiuk’s three years at the club.
“There’s only one or two guys who aren’t at senior footy level on our whole list,” the coach says.
“Nearly everyone on our list is expecting some senior footy at some stage this year and we haven’t had that since I’ve been here.”
The Warriors have added quality through half-back Ben Fletcher.
Fletcher, a former Warrior returning home, was once on the list of Werribee in the VFL and more recently played with Melton.
“One of the reasons we brought him back was his leadership,” Kretiuk said.
“We miss his type of instruction out on the ground. He’s almost another coach.”
Matt and Brent Turner arrive from Pascoe Vale; Reece Miles, an Altona premiership player, returns; Murphy Watt is back from Melton; and Ben Jago and Braden Ferrari are returning from Werribee.
Ferrari gives the Warriors cover at centre half-back if VFL-aligned Jackson Viola is selected for Collingwood, while Jago’s foot speed will be a huge boost for the Hoppers Crossing flanks.
The Warriors have lost key-position player Ash Brown, who has signed with the Northern Blues in the VFL, while Jordan Taylor will miss the season with a knee injury.
Priest medallist Wayde Skipper is back for another year and hasn’t missed a beat since Christmas.
“I gave Wayde a bit of time off before Christmas, but he still turned up to a few sessions,” Kretiuk said. “We wanted him to refresh a little bit, but he came straight in and played 90 per cent of the practice game in the ruck last week.
“He’s resilient, fit and mobile; he’s hungry and he just loves playing footy so he’ll lead from the front again.”
Hoppers Crossing will face St Albans in their traditional season opener at Hogans Road Reserve on April 9.
