BAROOGA HAWKS
Local stars, AFL talent and a focus on fitness might be the perfect mixture for Barooga, as it looks to bounce back from a tough 2021 season.
The Hawks, who finished 10th last year, made off-season headlines when it was announced former Melbourne AFL and Essendon VFL talent Kyle Dunkley would suit up for the side.
Dunkley will be joined by newcomers Jansen Peterson, Will Clarke and the returning Wade Demasi among a raft of big ins at Barooga Recreation Reserve.
Ex-port Adelaide and Western Bulldogs star Jackson Trengove will be wearing the coach’s hat this year, with former coach Tim Hargreaves stepping down due to other commitments.
Trengove has placed a big focus on fitness and said his side, like most others, was looking fit and strong leading up to the campaign.
“The boys have done some really hard work throughout the pre-season, so we will start the season off hopefully in good stead and good health and we’ll see how we go as we kick along,” Trengove said.
“I think for us, fitness is definitely one aspect we identified that needed some work, so our program has changed a fair bit.”
Local boy Riley Gow is one player that has benefited from the new program, with Trengove praising the way he has applied himself in pre-season and outlining him as one to watch for the year.
Trengove said he hoped supporters would see a different Barooga this year.
“We’re not going to put any cap on what we can achieve, we’ve got a really good young list, we’ve got some local boys that have come on and are probably the fittest they have ever been,” he said.
“We have got some experience coming in, from other clubs that have played with us before and obviously Kyle Dunkley from the VFL adds a fair bit of talent.
“As far as goals I think it’s probably just to improve each week and build throughout the season, it will hopefully be a full, long year and we’ll keep improving each week and become the best side we can become.”