PLAYER retention and structural tweaking of the game plan are key focuses for Ouyen United heading into the 2023 Sunraysia Football and Netball League season.
The Kangas, who fell 12 points short of making this year’s seniors grand final, will look for improvement from within after retaining the majority of their list, including stars Kaine Stevens and Dallas Willsmore. Former AFL forward Cory Gregson is also highly likely to return.
Key forward Luke Stanbrook’s return to Blackburn Park looms as the only major incoming so far, however, talks remain ongoing with club exports about potentially returning home.
Co-coach Scott Grigg said no surgery was needed on the playing list after making the preliminary finals.
“We’ve had a really strong focus on retaining the players we have,” he said.
“We were only a couple of kicks away from a grand final so we don’t need to go back to the drawing board.
“We’re making a strong focus on those living here and being here in the district so we can train together as a group more often.
“‘Bruiser’ (Stanbrook) will be a great addition. We probably lacked one tall target up forward at times so he’ll provide that extra man to for our midfield to kick to.”
Also returning to the fold is former captain Kale Barker, who missed the entire 2022 season following ACL reconstructive surgery.
Grigg said the key defender had been diligent in his rehab and can’t wait to have him back in the side.
“Later in the year he was carrying the drinks and being our runner for us so he was still having an impact on the group while recovering,” he said.
“Hopefully he will be fit for round one, but if not then we’ll take our time with him to make sure he is good to go.”
Grigg also lauded the further improvement in 2022 of young guns like Joel Grace, Jack O’Shannessy and Heath Smith, and said others will likely get their opportunities next campaign.
The co-coach said the playing group didn’t dwell on the preliminary final loss to eventual premiers Irymple, but quickly moved to discussions of how to improve.
“We’ve been asking our group where will we get that spike in improvement,” he said.
“The increase won’t be as big as it was this year, so what can we do to push ourselves that bit further.
“We’re really focusing on trying to pick up where we left off but add a few changes structurally, physically and mentally to take us that step further.
“We’ll try and make a few more structural changes to get that bit more attacking and aggressive with our ball movement.”
Ouyen United are set to begin pre-season training this week.
