Newtown & Chilwell gun Mitch Diamond has given an insight into the competitive nature of new coach Steve Johnson as the Eagles prepare for a blockbuster Sunday match-up with St Joseph’s at Drew Oval.
The Geelong and GWS Giants great replaced Damien McMahon as coach in September, and has the third-placed ‘Towners well placed for a quick return to finals action.
“I guess you know him as… flamboyant in the way he plays,” Diamond told K rock Football’s Beyond the Boundary podcast.
“The way he attacks the footy, super skilful, and you sort of expect the same, and you probably don’t get too much different from that.
“But I think that his competitiveness is something that you probably don’t quite understand.
“He’s just so driven to be competitive with whatever we do; whether or not that is training, game day, even if it’s just (as) simple as just doing our recovery.”
Newtown & Chilwell has started the season 5-2, which includes a four-match winning streak before the bye.
It’s a record that has surprised some external to Elderslie Reserve.
“The exciting thing was we didn’t really have any expectation,” Diamond said.
“I think it was, ‘Let’s see what we can do; a few new young boys to come in, learn the game plan’.
“There was no real expectation early on.
“I know Stevie’s super driven and super passionate with what we can do, and it’s just about believing in the game plan and what our roles are and what we can potentially achieve.
“I think there’s no real expectation, but we’re just trying to get better sort of every week.”
Newtown & Chilwell will finalise its team following a Saturday morning training run,
However, the team lodged by the Eagles, who will wear a heritage guernsey for the clash, includes key position player Luke Maddock, Geelong VFL-listed Felix Katsaros, and youngster Archer Harkness.
However, Charlie Byrne and Charlie Harris are listed as outs.
Joeys will be without Mathieson Medal contender James Gow (unavailable), while Josh Nurnaitis has been omitted.
They’ve been replaced by Caleb Foster and Angus Humphrey.
Werribee VFL-listed midfielder Daly Andrews is among five handy inclusions for Lara ahead of its clash with Leopold at Lara Recreation Reserve.
It will be Andrews’ first appearance for the winless Cats following injury.
He successfully got through an outing with GDFNL club Werribee Centrals last week.
Coach Brett Henderson has also named former Geelong Falcon Josh Sanders for his first senior match of the season, with co-captain Aaron Stone and recruits Majak Daw and Lachie Grima returning.
Cooper McKane will be sidelined due to illness, with Riley Evans, Jack Goodwin, Ethan Mohr, and Cody Beckley omitted.
The Lions have lost Brock Williamson to an adductor injury and omitted Billy Clark.
Tom Feely returns for his first match since suffering a knee injury in Round 1, while Falcons-listed Mason Williams will become the club’s 799th senior player when he debuts.
Grovedale has named debutant Josh De Goldi for his senior debut among three changes for the clash with Bell Park at Burdoo Reserve.
A half-back/wingman, De Goldi was part of the Tigers’ AFL Barwon under-18 division two premiership last year.
Grovedale welcomes back Nathan McHugh from injury, and Nick Hau has exited the concussion protocol.
They replace unavailable duo Ed Adams and Leigh Ellis, with Ned Mahoney returning to the reserves.
Sam Donegan and Jacob Russell headline the inclusions for St Albans as it prepares to take on two-time reigning grand finalists South Barwon in the Battle of the Break at St Albans Reserve.
Dongean is not required by VFL club Northern Bullants, while Russell is back after missing the pre-bye loss to Newtown & Chilwell.
The Supersaints also have access to Geelong Falcon Tyson Roberts and Geelong College captain Lucas Gray for their second games of the year.
They replace Joe Osborne (groin), Harry Howarth (ankle), Sam Cunningham (broken collarbone), and Ollie Boothey.
Co-coach Seb Ross and star Darcy Lang have been named for Colac ahead of its meeting with Geelong West at West Oval.
Ross and Lang haven’t played since the Round 3 clash with South Barwon.
Experienced forward Luke Hillman has been recalled from the reserves.
They replace captain Jack Melican (hamstring), defender Lachie Simpkin (ribs), and Micah Robb (ankle).
Big man Mac Scoullar and Geelong Falcon Tom Handley are back for the Giants, but they will be missing Tanner Lewis.
St Mary’s will unveil another debutant as it prepares to ‘host’ North Shore at Windsor Park.
Nick Saunders is among three inclusions, with Noah Biggs and Charlie Vallelonga recalled.
They replace Matt Keast, who returns to North Melbourne’s VFL team, captain Jack Blood is being managed after suffering some hamstring awareness in the loss to St Joseph’s, and Jesse Travaglini is unavailable.
The Saints were fixtured to play the Seagulls at Anthony Costa Oval on Sunday but made the change before the season started.
North Shore has named two first-gamers.
Tom Keogh, who has senior experience at South Barwon and Anglesea, and Bell Post Hill recruit Jaydn Quarrell are among four inclusions for the Seagulls.
However, they will be without Andrew Taylor.
K rock Football is live from Drew Oval from 1pm Sunday via krockfootball.live and FM 88.5 at the ground.
X: @krockfootball
