Team looks promising

It’s certainly been a productive off-season for Avenel, with the announcement of a number of recruits and returning personnel holding the Swans in good stead for season 2019.

Kasey Duncan has taken the reigns from departing senior coach Don Stirling and has left no stone unturned in the quest to see sustained success at the club.

Big-bodied backman Dean Giles is the latest in a number of key pre-season signings for the Swans.

‘‘He’s played 140 games at Montmorency in the Northern Football League where he was vice-captain, and hes also had stints at Wodonga Raiders and Doncaster East, so he’s bringing a wealth of experience from both the metro and country systems,’’ Duncan said.

Giles follows on from earlier announcements of a host of impressive recruits which the Swans hope will propel them deep in to September action.

Sam Durnan (brother of current player Angus) has joined the club from Winchelsea and will be a valuable asset in the mid-field and in the backline, while fellow recruits Harry McLean (Seymour), Kyle Maynard (Mitta) and Jack Myers (Longwood) are also expected to feature strongly.

There’ll also be some familiar faces in the red and white this season, with Michael McKenzie, Chris Burton, Jeremy Meek, Lachie Drummond and Todd Heaysman, among others, lining up again after a couple of years away.

Off-field, Joey Pollock has returned as the clubs reserves coach.

Pollock coached the side in 2012 and 2013, was an assistant in 2016, and took them to a grand final appearance in 2013.

‘‘This is a great result for the club as Joey is very respected not only within the club, but also outside the club in the wider football community, so we are really excited to have him on board again this year,’’ Duncan said.

‘‘Probably the most promising thing is we’re going to have a lot of depth at the club this season, which we haven’t really had for a while.

‘‘With that comes competition for spots and there’s going to be a few guys that have played a lot of senior footy that are going to be disappointed, but it’s healthy for the club.

‘‘We’ve had good numbers at training throughout pre-season, so it’s all looking really promising and I can’t wait to get stuck in to the season.’’

The club has two practice matches locked in on March 16 at home against Daylesford, and on March 23 against Yea, at Yea.

The Swans 2019 netball sides have also been announced, led by incoming head coach Jacinta Jamison, with the club fielding sides in all six grades.