GILHAM BRINGING FUN BACK TO FOOTY

Werribee Districts coach Chris Gilham said the focus this pre-season has been bringing the enjoyment back to footy and getting his players excited to be back around each other after a long break.

“We have played a bit of AFLX, which the boys enjoy and a lot of quarters of match simulation,” he said.

“We replaced the usual grind of running with games. We figured the players did enough fitness work while in lock down through the winter and we wanted them to really enjoy their training.”

Gilham said we should expect to see a younger looking team in TIV Division 1 in 2021 and says players rising through the ranks will have more opportunities to establish themselves at Senior level.

“There has been two off-seasons between games, so turnover of players is a bit higher than usual and you add COVID into the mix and the difficulties around that,” he said.

“I think teams across the competition will look very different to 2019.

“We as a club will never change our approach, we play our own and build from within and I’m looking forward to what the kids add to our team.

“We think we will be competing for a spot in the top five at seasons end and are looking forward to the challenges ahead.”

Gilham said the best thing about being back involved with footy after a long break was reconnecting with the playing group and the people around the club.

“We have a terrific young group. It is great seeing everyone again. Footy clubs are great places to be. Districts is full of good people, I have missed that environment.

“It’s going to be great to see all our kids back out there from the Under-9’s right through to Seniors.”

Werribee Districts kick-off their 2021 TIV Division 1 campaign against St Albans on April 10.