By Ken Moore
THE three new Ellinbank and District Football League coaches are all confident of major improvement for their clubs, despite all finishing outside of the top six last season.
Poowong’s Brett Anthony, Buln Buln’s Dean Hendrikse and NilmaDarnum’s Brad Sinclair have accepted the job of lifting their sides up the ladder in 2007.
Firstyear Poowong coach Brett Anthony said he honestly had no real idea how his young charges would fare this season, but was quick to add that he was delighted with their attitude over the preseason, describing it as a vital asset that should see the Magpies very competitive.
“Being new to the club, I’m still working a few things out and on bit of a learning curve, but we’ve got a young group and they’re willing to learn and appears to be getting something out of each session,” he said.
Anthony is a prolific ball winner with a very impressive football background.
After playing with both Carlton and Sydney reserves and in the VFA with Frankston he achieved a remarkable feat winning best and fairest in three leagues, the MPNFL, WGLFL and Alberton.
The former KilcundaBass ruckrover, giving an insight into his coaching mindset, said the first step towards becoming a better team was accountability for opponents.
“The more we can teach the youngsters, the better the club will be in the future,” he said.
Anthony said he relished the prospect of both working with his assistant coach and former Panther teammate, talented 21yearold Matt Grant, a utility who he said had both a promising football and coaching future.
He said everything had gone well so far, but he had played enough football not to get ahead of himself.
“The boys look good on the track, but I’m just waiting for the practice matches to iron a few things out and see where we are at,” he said.
New Buln Buln coach Dean Hendrikse is determined to return Buln Buln to the glory days of yesteryear.
Having four years’ coaching experience at NilmaDarnum, two seasons as assistant coach at Buln Buln and a major role with the Gippsland Power junior development program, Hendrikse is well qualified to make his return to the Lyrebirds a success.
Hendrikse is also an accredited leveltwo coach, so is hardly one to leave anything to chance.
The former Warragul junior and Pakenham midfielder has longterm coaching ambitions and on arrival gave his players a clear direction.
“They’ve been told the level of expectation and performance and will know what to do when they get the footy,” he stated confidently.
Hendrikse said he had his own way of doing things and was pleased with the squad he had at his disposal.
“We have no excessive strengths or deficiencies in any one area and intend to develop the team into playing a direct, hardrunning, disciplined, persistent and consistent brand of football,” he said.
Hendrikse gave the impression that coaching was a work in progress.
“I work hard to educate and try different things, but if they don’t work, I’ll do away with them and move on. I’m keen to work with our youngsters and intend to accelerate their development,” he said.
Hendrikse was keen to praise the strong coaching and player leadership group, saying support was as an integral part of the Lyrebirds’ push forward.
The group comprises his assistant coach and former Warragul utility Paul Wallin, his former assistant coach at Trafalgar, Michael White and veteran Barry Zeldrynk to name just a few of the more experienced Lyrebird personnel.
NilmaDarnum, the wooden spooners over the past two seasons can’t be taken lightly this year according to its new coach Brad Sinclair.
“I can guarantee supporters they will see a very competitive NilmaDarnum this season,” he said.
Sinclair, a personal trainer and former highperformance coach with VFL team Springvale, has introduced a big fitness regime to the Bombers that has seen them doing plenty of hard yards over summer.
“I’ve regularly tested all players for their speed, endurance and strength and they’ve been doing plenty of running and beep tests,” he said
“If we can improve our fitness 20 to 30 per cent and our football 10 per cent it will give us our best possible chance to win games.
I want to get the players in such good nick that they will be able to run over the top of sides in close games.”
Bombers supporters can expect to see a vastly newlooking team this year.
“We’ve recruited a number of sixfoot type midfielders with good endurance from a number of good competitions,” he said.
It was only a practice match, but NilmaDarnum insiders, players and supporters were delighted with its first victory in more than two seasons, a comfortable win over thirddivision EDFL team Heathmont at the weekend.
Sinclair will be supported by former Northern Bullant and Springvale premiership player Jamie Cann, a ruckrover who was in the thick of the action in last Saturday’s practice match.
