By Tara Murray
Caroline Springs men’s Vic League 3 team is expecting to improve in the second half of the season.
Playing in the higher division for the first time, the Springers have taken some time to adapt to the standard. They sit seventh at the mid-point of the season.
Springers coach Hans Kovarik said he was happy with the first part of the season.
“Hopefully we’ll finish in the middle of the field, as we keep getting players back.
“It’s the first time coming up from metro, it’s big for the group.
“We’ve had some players playing at a higher level, and those playing at the higher level for first time are doing well.
“I’m not disappointed with the results and neither should they be.
“We’ll be better in the back half of the season.”
Kovarik said the biggest challenge this year was work commitments had made it difficult to field a consistent side.
“Getting a full team is hard,” he said.
“We’re still managing to get a team on the park each week. Some games it’s a mish-mash of different skill sets.”
Kovarik said there was a fantastic attitude among the playing group.
He said there was plenty of good signs going forward for the small club and in the next three to five years they expected massive growth with plenty of housing estates being built in Caroline Springs and surrounding areas.
Players from outside the area are also interested in joining the club. They’ve got one player in their men’s side from Bendigo.
He said they were hoping to have a third men’s side in the near future.
Their second side is currently sitting third and on track to play finals.
The Springers return to the field this weekend, after two weekends off.
The Vic League 3 men’s side faces St Bernards on Saturday.
Their Vic League 2 women’s side, which sits third, faces Melton on Saturday in the local derby.
All sides had the weekend off for the Junior State Championships, with two Caroline Springs players involved.
