Nice hands: Benalla's Tom O'Brien. Photo: Brenden Paddock
Photo by
Brenden Paddock
Optimism continues to build around Benalla’s senior football outfit, after it completed its practice match schedule with an eye-catching victory over Geelong League outfit Bell Park on Saturday.
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Sporting a near full-strength line-up for the clash, the Saints showcased the slick brand of football supporters craved last season, as they came away with a victory by about four goals.
The match did incorporate a mixture of seniors and reserves players from both sides and no official score was recorded.
But for all those at the Benalla Showgrounds on Saturday it was clear to see this Saints side will be vastly improved from last season’s.
Listen up: The Benalla team in the huddle.
Photo by
Brenden Paddock
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Giving instructions: Benalla co-coach Mark McKenzie.
Photo by
Brenden Paddock
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Big contest: Benalla's Tom O'Brien.
Photo by
Brenden Paddock
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Strong hands: Benalla's Tom O'Brien.
Photo by
Brenden Paddock
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On the boot: Benalla's Tom Bennett.
Photo by
Brenden Paddock
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Getting the arms up: Benalla's Blake Uebergang.
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Brenden Paddock
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Physicality: Benalla's Nick Brazil.
Photo by
Brenden Paddock
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Eye on the ball: Benalla's Wade King.
Photo by
Brenden Paddock
Benalla co-coach Mark McKenzie said it was a very positive day for the club, with a number of exciting youngsters pressing their case for senior selection come round one.
“It was great to play a good brand of footy in the lead-up to round one,” McKenzie said.
“In our first practice match (against Congupna) we had a very depleted side, so to be heading towards full-strength on the weekend it was good to get a few of the guys back playing with each other for the first time in a long time.
“There is plenty we still need to work on, but there were plenty of good signs and a lot of that came from a few of our kids who really impressed.
“A few guys really put their hand up for senior selection which was probably the most exciting part of the day for us as a coaching unit.”
This performance capped off what has been an exciting summer for the Saints.
On the recruiting front, the club managed to bring a host of old favourites back in the form of Nick Mellington, Josh Mellington, Tom Bennett, Wade King and David Mennan.
The development aspect of the list has been equally exciting, with a host of young guns poised to take the next step.
McKenzie said the improvement he had seen in the group over the past 12 months had been staggering.
“The difference between this year and last year has been chalk and cheese,” he said.
“The ones that have improved have been the ones that were here last year to be honest, those young fellas have been massive for us.
“With the talent we brought in we sort of know what they can and can’t do, so the improvement coming from within is very exciting I think.”
Now attention turns to round one, and a blockbuster Good Friday clash against Seymour at Benalla Showgrounds.
McKenzie said his team was already champing at the bit to get into it.
“We’ve got a tough start to the year, with games against Seymour and Euroa,” he said.
“But we wouldn’t have it any other way, it will give us a great indication of where we sit in the scheme of things.
“It is going to be a massive occasion at home on Good Friday to kick off the season, and the boys can’t wait to get out there and show that improvement in the real stuff.”
