FOOTBALLERS usually get the shudders when the coach says bring the the runners.
But South Mildura have embraced the challenge set by new coach Luke Sicker and are reaping the benefits of extra kilometres covered across pre-season.
The Bulldogs were one of the first Sunraysia Football and Netball League teams back on the track after finishing winless in 2022, with the former Imperials premiership star installed as head honcho.
With a number of impressive recruits and a renewed enthusiasm during training, the boys in the blue and white hoops could be set to shoot further up the ladder in 2023.
“We’ve ticked every box along the way, which has been really pleasing,” Sicker said.
“I’ve been absolutely rapt with the work the boys have put in so far. We did about 20km the other weekend going through town, which included some running through the Perry Sandhills, but we also had a bit of fun with things like a scavenger hunt along the way, which has been good.
“A couple of weeks ago we had an intra-club game where 40 blokes were there on a 40 degree night, which was great to see.
“It’s a credit to the club and the playing group for how they’ve bought in. After the season they had in 2022, to be back into it by mid-October, about only six-week break, I think shows that they want to be there to help move on the upward trajectory.
“There’s a real sense of excitement and I think you can tell around the playing group that everyone wants to be involved in helping the team move up the ladder.”
New captain Nathan Nolan and vice-captain Dom Scullino, who finished top two in the club’s best and fairest last year, are leading the charge during pre-season, while after 17 senior games in two seasons, Mason Fitzgerald has the coaching staff excited with his progress.
A lack of depth in midfield last season hurt big time, especially when the injury bug was at its most vicious, but among the slew of new faces at the club, some on-ball weapons are ready to be unleashed.
Goalkicking midfielder Josh Koster, son of former AFL player Kym, has senior SANFL experience at Glenelg and West Adelaide and joins the kennel after a standout two seasons Adelaide powerhouse Sacred Heart OC.
Fellow South Australians Bailey Fotia and Austin Forbes, who both have experience through SANFL systems, are skilful operators and Sam Davidson, originally from East Brighton, dominated in 10 games for Sale City in 2022, booting 27 goals and featuring in the best eight times.
Sicker said he is “absolutely confident” the side will improve on last year’s results, but where they stand in the pecking order is much less clear.
“I think over the next month we’ll get a better understanding of where we sit,” he said.
“Across the board, it seems like everyone has improved, so it makes it hard to get a read on things at this stage. Once we have our pre-season matches, I think we’ll know a bit more.
“We’re excited and ready to take on Irymple in round one. The premiers of the last couple of years will be a great early test.
“We don’t look at it as making a statement so much, moreso getting a sense of how we fare against the best teams in the league.”
South Mildura will play Balranald in a practice match on Saturday, March 18, before games against Red Cliffs and Renmark ahead of the round 1 clash with the Swallows.
