Promising signs for Gulls
Warragul has something of the Western Bulldogs “mystery” about it this year.
Nobody, not even those in the inner sanctum, really know just how good the Gulls could be.
Their stunning finish to last season – huge upset wins in the final two rounds over eventual premiers Maffra and 3rd placed Traralgon to snatch a place in the “five”, and a near miss in the elimination final – whetted the appetite for 2017.
Saturday week’s home clash at Western Park against Moe, another predominantly young and talented side, is an ideal opportunity for Warragul to take a step in what looms as a promising season.
In his third year as coach Steve Kidd has his charges believing in the game plan and style and that’s more than half the battle.
Tom Muir, experienced at VFL and SANFL level, is a valuable boost to the side and Michael Lynn, who acquitted himself well as a young player at senior level before a move to Warragul Industrials, returns to add depth.
Last year’s captain and ruckman Chris Carey, living and studying at Ballarat has trialled with VFL club Port Melbourne, and his appearances in the red and black might be intermittent.
Otherwise the Gulls will field a side with a majority of players knowing they can win big matches (e.g. Maffra and Traralgon) under pressure and have had their first mouth-watering taste of finals. And there’s some real cream. Brad Scalzo and Nathaniel Paredes winner and runner-up respectively in last year’s league best and fairest award, will be on the minds of Moe’s selectors when they pick their side to take on the Gulls.
While they are certainly keys they are not a two-man band.
Brayden Fowler’s move up the ground from a key forward post in the second half of last season was a big factor in the Gulls storming finish.
His height makes him hard to match up on around the ball and middle of the ground.
Ambu Uliando made big steps last year as an on-baller and will get better.
There’s no shortage of talent, either among Nic Mulqueen, set for a full season at Warragul post Gippsland Power, forward Matt Rennie, Dylan Proctor, Jake Hughes and Nic Stevenson to name a few.
And don’t forget the “veteran” Sheehan brothers, Brendan and Leigh; Leigh superb in the elimination final and leading the last quarter comeback when moved forward.
Moe’s young talent is the envy of most other clubs in the league and they are brilliantly led by playing coach James Blaser.
But at this stage they’re probably at least a year behind Warragul’s progression, pointing to a likely first-up win for the Gulls.