Football
17 April, 2024
Dimboola 2024 Season Preview
A look at Dimboola's 2024 season in both football and netball and a message from President Hayden Eldridge.
The Roos are on the hunt for the premiership this year under Jack Landt and with the names they have brought in, they could very well be there at the end of the season.
Andrew Moore comes as the biggest recruit they have had in a long time. Moore offers a lot of experience being in the AFL for ten years, playing for Port Adelaide and Richmond.
Recently he played for West Adelaide in the SANFL and is coming to Dimboola as not only an important cog in the midfield but also off-field leadership for Jack Landt and Ben Miller.
Jackson Calder is another big recruit that will sit in the forward line at six foot four and Landt has played with him in the past.
Calder recently played for Mornington where he kicked 43 goals in 2023 and 44 in 2024. Recently, he kicked 72 goals for St Marys in the Northern Territory.
Pat McDonough comes across as a key back/ruck from PEGS in the VAFA, as well as Ben Brett as an elusive half-forward/midfielder from Pint in the NTFL. Brett has a good left foot on him and kicks a lot of goals.
Landt is also hopeful that Mitchell O'Donnell may play a few games this year after being troubled by injuries the last couple of years.
The other big news is Dylan Landt is also returning after having an outstanding season in the NTFL over the summer. Landt secured back-to-back TIO NTFL Men's Premier League highest individual honour, the Nichols Medal for the league's best and fairest.
Jack Landt said that their game style is going to change a bit.
"We have developed an offensive style of game the last few years which has worked well at times, but hasn't worked well at other times," Landt said.
"We are going to try and set up our defenders better with the way we move. Hopefully, we can move the ball well and defend it with the ball in hand and tighten up the screws in the backline."
Landt is also impressed with some juniors that are looking good.
"Alex Jakiel has worked hard over the summer and played well in our practice match and he will play a lot of football for us this year," Landt said.
"Patty Clark is another one as an 18-year-old. He has played two seasons and is ready to step up in the midfield and with experienced players around him, I am excited to see what he can do.
"Finally, Archer Laverty as a 16-year-old has a body for senior football. He has played in the practice matches and is likely to start in the team at the beginning of the year. He can play multiple positions and is strong and clean and will be a good footballer for Dimboola."
Dimboola has the bye in round one and will play Nhill in round two.
NETBALLERS AIM TO GO ONE BETTER
Ashlee Morrish coaches a Dimboola team this year that made the preliminary final for the first time since the 1960's in 2023.
Morrish has been playing at the club for two years and takes over from co-coaches Nicole Polycarpou and Ant Toet.
The Roos have recruited Bridgette Dorringon, a defender and a midcourt player and goalie Maddie Marra, both coming over from Jeparit Rainbow Storm.
The only loss from last year's team is Holly Ross who moved over to play for Pimpinio.
Morrish is excited for the season.
"The numbers are looking exceptionally good. It gives us a lot to choose from and lots of versatility which can be both a blessing and a worry," Morrish said.
"Some new faces bring some pace and strength to the team, add depth and versatility to our squads and have been training well."
Morrish is also excited about the juniors.
"I'm hoping the juniors can continue to elevate their game and continue to develop," Morrish said.
"Indy Ward played her first A Grade game last season and is still eligible for U17's and is showing form during the pre-season."
After tasting finals last year and falling short of a grand final berth, Morrish has identified what they need to do to improve.
"I think we need to refine some of the basics, reduce some of the little mistakes and capitalise on turnovers."
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dimboola president Hayden Eldridge is looking forward to his first year as president.
With improvement expected on both the football field and netball courts, he is excited about what the club can achieve this year.
"Our A-Grade netballers did well last year to make a prelim since 1965 and if they can improve and get one step closer, it will be great," Eldridge said.
"We have worked hard for 10 years in netball in recruiting and changing things up and it is paying dividends.
"In football, it would be good to have a premiership. We have a lot of numbers at training and we hope the reserves can be a bit more competitive and hopefully have guys knocking on the door playing seniors."
Eldridge said that whilst the numbers are good for senior football, they will struggle with juniors due to the new ruling.
"We probably won't have full sides for football and that ruling will hurt us," Eldridge said.
"We are working at it and trying to resolve it the best we can and work out a good way for the kids to get on the park."
Off the field this year the club has the 2014 Reserves reunion and also a life members dinner mid-year. Eldridge also wants to give back to their sponsors a bit more.
"No date has been set for the reunion yet but this year we want to give back to our sponsors more and promote them," Eldridge said.
"We have a brand new scoreboard that has been put up which will advertise major sponsors and smaller sponsors and they will be mentioned throughout the season.
"We will also hold a sponsor day which will give them something back and thanks for supporting us. Without sponsors we wouldn't be around, so we can't thank them enough."