Tara Murray
The talent pool from the Keilor junior sides is again set to be on show this season in the Essendon District Football League premier division.
While the Blues have managed to keep the majority of their strong playing list, Blues coach Mick McGuane said they were set to see a few more younger players get opportunities.
“We’ve lost a couple of players interstate to lower levels and others are retiring,” he said.
“We are happy to go to the well again with the junior program and introduce more junior players.
“We haven’t gone outside the Keilor bubble.”
McGuane said many of the younger players had already gotten opportunities in practice matches.
He said a couple of injuries to senior players meant some could get opportunities early in the piece, with the club likely to field an inexperienced defence in the early rounds but were confident they could fill the void.
Among those in doubt for round one are Brad Xavier and Mason Thomas.
McGuane said they had retained the core group of players from the last few years.
Premiership captain Joyce is one out, while McGuane said Riley Ham was set to miss the season due to work.
Taylor Stevenson and Matthew Clark have returned, after question marks whether they would continue to play on.
McGuane said they weren’t likely to play every game.
Of the ins, Daniel Sargent is the biggest inclusion.
“He’s from Taylors Lakes and is only 19,” he said. “He wanted to have a crack at premier level and came to the club on his own.
“He’s developing and evolving quickly.”
McGuane said with plenty of uncertainty heading into the season it could be a challenging year.
He said there were many things outside of their control and COVID-19 on top of that.
With a similar group and more players coming through, the Blues are again expected to be about the mark.
“That is the intention,” he said.
“It’s an evolving game and we believe in our junior program and it is evolving at the right time.
“There’s still the likes of Kane [Barbuto], Dean [Galea], Nicko [Nick O’Kearney, Jesse Wallin and Brad Xavier.
“They’re great leaders and have been predominantly Keilor players.”
The Blues kick off their season on Saturday against Greenvale at Keilor.
In other round one matches, Avondale Heights will play Strathmore, Aberfeldie will play Maribyrnong Park, East Keilor will host Essendon Doutta Stars, and Glenroy plays Pascoe Vale.
In division 1, Hillside will face will Roxburgh Park, while in division 2, Burnside Heights will play Oak Park, Keilor Park will host Hadfield and Taylors Lakes will play Coburg Districts.
