Taylors Lakes hopes it has found the perfect blend of youth and experience for the coming Essendon District Football League season.
And the Lions have fired an early shot, welcoming former Carlton-listed player forward Caleb Tiller and returning ruckman Andrew Gallina.
Gallina, who missed last season, has been described by Taylors Lakes coach Sam Tankard as potentially one of the best ruckmen in division 1.
Tankard believes the recruits will form the perfect partnership with the club’s young players, who have continued to show signs of improvement.
The Lions’ reserves side won the 2015 premiership.
“I think we’ve done really well with our recruits,” Tankard says.
“We’re just hoping the next level of improvement will come from our kids. Some of them played five or six senior games and then went on to play in the reserves premiership. Others played about 10 or 12 games. We’re excited to see those kids progress and for them to get their games played up to 30 or 40 in the next two years. That’s where a lot of our improvement will come from.”
This season will be Tankard’s second in the top job after crossing over from Essendon Doutta Stars. The Lions finished seventh last year in a season marred by injuries.
Tankard says a desire to improve is already apparent.
“From all our testing and times we’re doing, the boys are a hell of a lot fitter. The disappointment of last year might have triggered them a bit and they’ve certainly had a much better pre-season. We’re just trying to get the best out of everyone to give ourselves the best opportunity to play finals.”
Taylors Lakes begins its 2016 campaign with an away match against Hillside. Its opening home game is against Hadfield in round two.
