Tara Murray
Albion is hoping to push for a finals spot in the Western Region Football League division 2 season.
After making massive inroads last season, the Cats under new coach Blake Richards have had a massive pre-season.
Richards said they were keen to get out on the field and get the season started.
“We’re looking forward to it,” he said. “We’ve had a massive pre-season and the boys are ready,’ he said.
“We’ve got great numbers and great depth. We’re really happy and we’ve added four or five quality ins.
“We’ll get improvement from the guys last year with a bit more discipline and structure. Hopefully the guys improve enough to play finals.”
The biggest thing the Cats targeted off field was adding some extra height to the playing group.
Richards said the players wanted to get in some ruckman to help the side out.
James Philpot, who was part of the club’s 2010 division 1 premiership, Caleb Docherty and Joshua Michetti, who returns to the club, will all help fill that void.
It’s set to free up Cooper Muir to play other roles.
Justin Bell has returned to the Cats and is set to play a big role, while Jessa Cavanagh joins the club from Caroline Springs.
The off season has seen many former players return to the club which is a big bonus. Many have stepped up off field including Richards.
He said it was good for the club.
On field, Richards said making finals would be a really good achievement for the club with such a young playing group. The group finished sixth last season.
Richards said that was one of the biggest draw cards in taking on the coaching role.
“The age of the group is mostly 19 to 23,” he said. “They still have their best footy ahead of them.
“At that age you look to make it and build year by year and create that atmosphere at the club.
“Playing finals is what footy is about. We have a tight group and want to grow them not only on field, but off field.”
The Cats start their season on Good Friday against Sunshine.
Richards said they were really excited to get their rivalry with Sunshine back up and going after playing in different divisions.
“It’s a great rivalry that hasn’t been there the last few years,” he said. “We want to make that really big again.”
The other match on Good Friday in the WRFL is the division 1 clash between Point Cook and Hoppers Crossing.
Tara Murray
