NEWTOWN & Chilwell will be hoping to hit the ground running for the 2023 GFNL season, with the Eagles seeking redemption from a heartbreaking Preliminary Final loss last year.
Leopold booted a goal after the siren in the do-or-die clash, preventing the Towners the opportunity to win their first flag since 1986.
Eagles coach Damien McMahon is keen to hit the ground running for their Round 1 matchup against Geelong West, saying there’s room for an improvement following a 13-win season in 2022.
“Our expectation is the same every year and that’s to improve from the year before,” McMahon said.
“Obviously if we can do that it’ll put us in a really good position.
“We certainly don’t want to take any steps backwards and we feel like we’ve taken steps forward with our recruiting and the development of our players and maturity.”
McMahon said the inclusion of Flynn Young after a breakout season with Grovedale will be vital for the Eagles’ forward structure, while Liam Nash crosses from the Mid Gippsland Football Netball League to add some vital experience.
“(Flynn) is a pretty exciting prospect for us,” he said.
“He was a leading goalkicker at Grovedale last year and a team of the year player.
“He’s only a 21-year-old so he’s an exciting prospect for us and he know where to find the goals.
“(Liam) brings a lot of experience to us and probably replaces Jai Sheahan who’s obviously moved down a grade to Geelong Amateurs.
“Nashy will come in and play a key role for us through the midfield and through the forwardline.”
McMahon said he’s expecting some young players to have big seasons, saying the ‘second-to-third’ year players have all put in big pre-seasons.
He said the Eagles will be relying on their depth to stay competitive throughout the season.
“Our second and third year players will really step up this year.
“I look at some guys like Charlie Byrne, a 19-year-old last year, first year at our club, played some pretty exciting football.
“Guys like Matthew Lloyd playing their second and third years, become a very good player for us last year.
“It’s a good position for us to be in with some of this talent that didn’t play many games for us last year, that we’d like to think we’ll get a good season out of them in 2023.
“We’ve played a lot of our younger brigade through those practice matches and tried to give everyone a good look at senior football.
“So we feel like we’ve got a really good handle on our list and what we’re capable of.”
Newtown & Chilwell kick off its season at home against the Giants on Saturday.
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