SENIOR MEN

Pre-Season kicked off for our 1-3 year senior players on the 8th of November and we saw a strong turn out from our up and coming talent. The younger boys were looking fit and ready to go. The standouts being ruckman Lachy Harry, intercept marking defender Connor Hinkley and inside midfielder Lachy Bugeja, all returning trim, strong and they are running on top of the ground. Graduates from last years 19’s in Louis Downie, Charlie Oglethorpe, Kieran Hubber and Kristian Zellic have all impressed as well.

The main playing group returned on Monday 22nd for the much anticipated (dreaded) 3km Time Trial around Hays Paddock in Kew East. This kicks the pre-season off officially for the whole Senior playing list.

At present we’ve had the majority of the list commit to 2022 with Stu Johns (retired) James Kenworthy (Surrey Park) Marcus Young (East Burwood) and Max Otten (Templestowe) the only departures. We wish those players all the best and thank them for their time and dedication to the Blackburn Football Club.

On the recruitment front, it’s been tough. Real tough. After two years of Covid Restrictions, players are reluctant to move and if they are moving, we can’t compete with the VAFA or country clubs in what they’re offering in regards to remuneration.  We have a few irons in the fire so watch this space.

In other news our camp is booked and ready to go on the 11th of Feb and our practice matches are locked and loaded for the 5th, 19th and 26th of March with a final hit out on the 2nd of April. Huge thanks must go out to Scott Patterson for being all over this.