Storm looks for speed, defence
Jeparit-rainbow has stormed the beaches, established a foothold and even chalked up a few minor victories. But now it’s time to push on and win major battles.
That pretty much sums up the Storm as it approaches another Horsham district league season, this time under new coaches Ashley Clugston and Luke Murphy.
Jeparit-rainbow has answered questions about its move from the former Mallee league to the Horsham competition, completing its apprenticeship with two finals appearances.
But it is yet to win a final in its new haunt – and that’s something Clugston, 31, returning to his home club after a colourful and successful stint with Dimboola, is keen to address.
Clugston said the aim was for the team to lift the bar this year, which meant not only making finals, but winning them.
“The simple aim is to do better than what we did last year,” he said.
“And that means we have to win the finals we reach.
“To do that we must have the self-belief we might have been lacking in the past.
“I personally believe we have a team that can go a long way this season. We need to believe in one another and that we can win not only games, but also the big games.
“It’s about learning to raise the bar in finals – getting to that extra level.
“In the Mallee league the club was bottom of the ladder yearin, year-out. We have proven we can be competitive. It’s all now just about seizing the opportunity.”
Clugston said defensive pressure and developing speed were keys in Jeparit-rainbow taking the next step in its evolution as a team.
“We’ve identified a need to develop a defensive structure about our game and not be too attacking and predictable,” he said.
“We have changed a few things up in the team lineup and are making plenty of changes in the midfield to have fresh legs.
“We understand the team last year lacked leg speed across the ground, but with recruits and young players coming through this is something we should be able to address.”
Shane Maslin from Echunga in South Australia’s Hills league is a major recruit likely to add an edge to the Storm’s midfield and Mitch Brown, originally from Irymple, has also popped up at the club.
They will join the likes of rising teenage players Rory O’halloran and Jacob Cocks who had a healthy taste of senior football last season and Murphy, runner-up for the league’s Dellar Medal.
Clugston said the Storm midfield’s ability to push back defensively would provide an important element to the new defensive approach.
“What we’re expecting is everyone across the board to lift,” he said. “We think we have a pretty strong forward line, especially with assistant coach Peter Weir up there, and the key will be to win the ball out of the middle as well as attack, and have the ability to push back defensively.”
Clugston said he looked forward to rekindling his playing career with the Storm.
“It’s a good feeling. Obviously my time as a footballer will soon be coming to an end. I look forward to being back home to play – to get around home-club mates and to play with my brothers,” he said.
While Clugston rates among the most dynamic goal-kicking flankers in the region, his brother Simon looms as an important key-position player and his older brother Heath is likely to clock up a 300-game milestone this season.
The Storm gained insight into its potential during a practice match against Dimboola at the weekend and is alternating Tuesday and Thursday training nights between Rainbow and Jeparit.
Teams visiting Rainbow this year will have the opportunity to experience social-room renovations due to officially open on Friday.
Club president Jason Hutson said the rooms would be available for the club’s season opener against Southern Mallee Giants on April 8.
“The renovations have come up pretty well so its quite an exciting development,” he said.
The club is now exploring financial opportunities to start work on change-room renovations.