Pumas keen to build this season
Having Victoria’s leading goal-kicker in 2016 was not enough for Moystonwillaura to play Mininera and District Football League finals.
Although John Vanderwaal averaged just under seven goals a game, kicking double figures on four occasions including his biggest haul of 25 and finishing with 124 for the season, the Pumas could manage only 10 wins to finish seventh on the ladder, a game and percentage out of the finals.
This result is something coach Matt Burmeister will look to rectify as he takes on the top job again this year
Burmeister is upbeat and positive about the start of the Pumas’ season, having retained all players from last year’s senior team.
This includes the likes of Aaron Pianta, who has taken on the job as captain, Rhys Cronin and Matthew Peel along with the experience and leadership of Simon Lockyer, whose composure across half back is a massive asset.
Vanderwaal is another player continuing on in 2017. Over the years he has proven a dangerous footballer all over the field, more recently in attack, resulting in the league goal-kicking award.
Daniel Guinane is another key player returning to the team.
Guinane has time and time again stamped his authority as a force both forward and in the ruck and will be a huge inclusion.
Adding to the Pumas’ already strengthening list are new recruits Billy Laurie, an on-baller who was Newtown’s best and fairest in the Geelong league, and Sam Cronin, who has come across from Tatyoon.
Ben Robertson from Ararat Eagles, who had enormous success as a junior winning league best and fairest and goal-kicking awards and premierships, is also at the club and has the potential to replicate any of these achievements in senior football.
After a productive pre-season Burmeister is happy with where the team sits after practice matches, feeling his charges have had great hitouts in preparation for the season opener only a few weeks away.
Although the team is looking well prepared at this time of the year, there will also be strong inclusions throughout the season with players coming back from a variety of commitments.
Luke Thomas, Paddy Daley and Owen Phillips, as well as dominant ruckman Josh Bywater – who well and truly proved his worth in last year’s interleague campaign – are among these inclusions.
Lynden Brewis is also on this list of players and his ability and brute strength in contests around the ground will also be something the Pumas will look forward to having back.