Falcons to fly high
Turner rates squad potentially the best
GEELONG Falcons talent manager Mick Turner says this year’s side had the potential to be the best Falcons team in their 25-year history.
The club has won two TAC Cup premierships despite a host of deep finals appearances, but Turner said its core business was to produce AFL draftees.
He said this year’s Falcons boasted a deep list, which enhanced their chances of winning their first flag in 17 years.
The group is led by Vic Country most valuable player and All-Australian James Worpel, who, Turner believes, will relish the big stage.
Worpel also received the accolade of TAC Cup Team of the Year captain with teammates Gryan Miers, David Handley and Cassidy Parrish in the 24-man side.
Sam Walsh, Matthew Ling, Harry Benson, Ned McHenry, Josh Jaska, Tom McCartin, Cooper Stephens and Ethan Floyd also gained Vic Country squad selection.
“If you asked me would I rather get 10 kids drafted or win the premiership and get two kids drafted, I’d take the 10 kids getting drafted every day of the week,” Turner said.
“But this year we’re trying to do both. I think you’re always trying to get that balance.
“In 2000, our last premiership, we got two players drafted.
“Since then, our draft records have been the best in Australia.
“When we pick a side, we’re picking our best side but it’s certainly attune to the draft, you’ve got to play draftable players because that’s what the AFL clubs want to see.
“We’re an AFL academy and the kids who enter our program are here to reach their full potential at the highest level.”
The Falcons have not made a grand final since 2000, despite the club boasting some of the most talented TAC Cup sides in the last 16 years.
The 2001 side — which featured Luke Hodge, Jimmy Bartel, Gary Ablett, Luke Molan and Matt McGuire — managed a preliminary final appearance, while the 2009 side — Ben Cunnington, Gary Rohan, Jasper Pittard and Allen Christensen — also fell short.
“We did very well last year with the side we had — potentially we would have loved to have got to the grand final, we led all day until the last 10 minutes or so,” Turner said.
“We just got beaten in the end by top-end talent.
“Other years, when we’ve had really strong sides, key players have got injured.
“I remember in Ben Cunnington’s year we were premiership favourites and he got injured during the finals. Jasper Pittard didn’t play because he hurt his knee. Christensen was crook. Gary Rohan, from all the travelling he had done that year, was cooked.”
But Turner said the Falcons have one of their best chances to win a premiership in three weeks’ time.
“I think this side is probably the best side we’ve ever had — potentially,” he said.
“When I look at the list of players, the draft this year and next year, and the list of players who could potentially get drafted, there’s a lot of kids there.
“But Dandenong would tell you the same thing, as would Oakleigh and Sandringham, so they’ve also got good sides as well.
“Going into finals this week, we’ve certainly got a very talented team and it’s got a lot of depth. I feel very confident going into finals the team is well prepared.”