Tara Murray
Depth is the key for Brimbank Stallions in the FV state league 1 north-west season.
After struggling last season with injuries to a number of key players, the Stallions have added to their squad ahead of this season.
Stallions coach Andrew Marth said they believed that they were in for another good season and were primed to aim for promotion.
“It’s been pretty good and we’re quietly confident of being in the top half again this year,” he said.
“The squad has been strengthened and we’re looking forward to the season.”
Marth said they had looked to add some key players, along with some players who have come through their junior program.
Aaron Smith is back from the United Kingdom in a boost for the club, while Aleksander Necovski will return from injury,
Marth said after their struggles last season with injury, they didn’t want to be left in the same situation again and decided to make sure they had plenty of options.
“We’ve improved our numbers,” he said. “We had a lot of injuries last season that depleted us.
“We had games where we had eight senior players out. We were hugely depleted and it hurt our promotion hopes.”
Having still finished fifth last season despite their injury concerns was a major plus for the Stallions.
But Marth is keen to achieve more this season.
“Promotion is the end goal,” he said. “But we’re not getting ahead of ourselves. To finish in the top three or four is our main goal.
“Some teams that were spending a lot of money are no longer in the league, which will help.”
The Stallions won their first official match of the season, in their opening match of the Australia Cup.
Coming in at the third round, the Stallions beat Heatherton United, 5-0.
Despite the empathic win, Marsh wasn’t that impressed.
“I wasn’t overly happy with the performance,” he said. “We created a lot of opportunities, but didn’t convert. It wasn’t to my expectations.”
The draw for the next round of the Australia Cup is yet to be released.
The Stallions will open their state league season on Saturday against Whittlesea United away from home.
Marth said they were confident of opening the season on the right note.
In other opening state league 1 north-west matches, Sydenham Park will travel to face Yarraville, while newly promoted Westgate will host Keilor Park.
In state league 2 north-west opening round matches, Western Suburbs will play the Albion Rovers.
Last year’s state league 3 north-west champions Westvale Olympic, will face Mill Park in the opening round.
In state league 3 north-west Western Eagles play state league 4 north champions Uni Hill Eagles, and state league 4 west champions Westside Strikers are on the road to Sebastopol Vikings.
In state league 4, Keilor Wolves host Truganina and Spring Hills play Melbourne City.
