By Colin MacGillivray

Consistency will be key for Natimuk United this season as it prepares to blood a rising group of youngsters.

Returning senior coach Jarred Combe said the team would have a new look in 2024 after the departures of some of last season’s key players.

Among the outs is Todd Stevenson, who has transferred to Donald. 

Stevenson was one of the Rams’ standout players last year and was named among the team’s best in 13 of his 15 games played.

Combe remained tight-lipped on Natimuk United’s other departures, preferring instead to focus on the young players who are set to gain senior experience.

“We’ve had a steady number of recruits coming in and a strong junior list of top-age under-17s and players fresh out of the under-17s grand final last year,” he said.

“Young players such as Cody Maybery, Ned Glascott, Archie Sudholz, Jack Dean, Bailey Taylor and Joey Nagorcka will get great exposure to senior football this season.”

Combe said enthusiasm remained high at Natimuk Untied despite the player departures.

He said pre-season training sessions were some of the best-attended in his time at the club.

“A big positive for us was great numbers in our pre-Christmas sessions,” he said.

“In a farming community during harvest, numbers tend to be the bare minimum, but in December we averaged in the high 20s each session.

“That positivity continued into this year. 

“The playing list has shown a great enthusiasm towards pre-season training, with the numbers the best they’ve been in five-plus years.

“We’ve had a modernised, tailored pre-season program, which players have embraced.”

Combe said 2024 was about laying a foundation for the senior football program to build on.

“Whether the pre-season enthusiasm translates to more wins this season I’m not sure, but I know it will in years to come,” he said.

“Results, win or loss, won’t determine the direction we take. 

“The club as a whole knows what we are trying to achieve and the processes we have in place.”

Combe said stability and consistency would be priorities for the Rams.

“We finished off 2023 strongly with a few really good wins and some close losses,” he said.

“Our main issue in the first half of last season was a lack of depth and consistency with team selection.

“We’re working towards greater consistency in performance and team selection from week to week.”

Coaches:

Seniors: Jarred Combe

Reserves: Jye Rabone

Under-17s: Matt Lee

Under-14s: Evo Hennessy

Under-11s: To be confirmed

Under-9s: Jason Skiller

The entire March 27, 2024 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!

The entire March 27, 2024 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!