Finals focus for revamped Roos

ANGLESEA coach Paul Carson says the club’s recruits have had an immediate impact at Alcoa Oval this pre-season, with the hunger to return to finals driving the playing group throughout a gruelling summer.

The Roos missed the top five for the first time in three years last year, but Carson, who is back for his second year at the helm, said the club’s expectation was to be in the thick of the action when it counted this season.

“All the recruits have been training really hard and I feel the standard has lifted at our footy club,” Carson said.

“We have probably eight new players in our best side and given we had a lot of senior players miss a lot of footy last year too, through injury, it might take a little time for us to jell.

“But we’re aiming to play finals, make no mistake. I don’t want to say if we don’t play finals it’s not a pass, but we’re definitely aiming for that.”

The addition of former SANFL Port Adelaide forward Jordan Erskine is a major coup and his presence inside-50 alone will increase Anglesea’s finals hopes, along with the return of fellow spearhead Dale Carson from injury.

Getting there will be just one part of the equation though, with the 2008 GFL Mathieson medallist saying the Roos would be looking to make it count if they are there in September.

“Anglesea has played finals for a little bit, but it’s been a long time since they’ve won a final,” Carson said. “So it’s one thing to get there and another to win one or actually have a real impact and try to do something special.”