LAKES ENTRANCE
2024 position: Sixth (three wins).
Coaching panel: Darren Martin (senior coach), Steve Cole (reserves coach) and Jordy Cullen (thirds coach).
Vibe check: Numbers have been excellent, with many former players around the club. Had a great pre-season camp at Coonwarra and two solid practice match hits, looked promising against Rosedale and Monbulk.
Ins: Sam Brown (South-East), Bryce Collings (Moe), Liam Carroll junior (Springvale Districts), Mitchell Banner (ex-Port Adelaide), Will Addison (Swan Reach), Jake Fisher, Sam Nickless (both returning) and Scott Latta (Colac).
Outs: Emmett and Liam Carroll (overseas), Will Forrester (Swan Reach), Matthew Pearce (Traralgon), Jarred McDonnell (Sandgate), Rick Kamphuis (Garfield) and Tom Crellin (Swifts Creek).
Game style: Looking to shift the ball of the line, pointless going down the line with all the structures now in the competition.
Players to watch: Sabastian Etheridge has impressed the coaching panel in pre-season.
Wildcard: George Ioakim, Max and Angus Stevens all doing the right things and set to make an impact.
Expectations: “Hoping to push for the finals, but are mindful it’s tough early draw and we have several unavailabilities in the opening rounds,” coach Darren Martin said.Analysis: Facing a tough ask early with Boisdale and Briagolong and Lucknow in first two rounds, will go into the round one with out Tom Hudson, Liam Allen and Nickless (all injured), as well as Collings, Banner and Brown unavailable. Should be better than last year but if that’s good enough for finals time will tell.
