By Trevor Jackson
SEVERAL changes have been made at Glencoe leading up to the opening match of Mid South East football this weekend.
One change could have a major effect on the side, with Reece Duncan appointed coach and by all accounts, seem keen to kick the season off on a good start.
“It is a new opportunity for me and I am looking forward to it,” he said.
“It has been good so far … they have welcomed me in and it has been a good start.
“They have some good players, so I am looking forward to pulling it together and getting some sort of result out of it.”
That good start includes not only impressive numbers on the training track, but some inclusions which should certainly go a long way to bolster the Murphies’ line up.
Matt Cordy has headed across from Kongorong, Jacob Pfitzner from Penola and a couple of young guys from West – Harry Opperman and Joel Day.
Fletcher Lawson and Connor Fielding are included from South Gambier, along with some previous Glencoe players who had a year off for various reasons.
That in itself provides a real challenge for the incoming coach and should force extra competition on the training track.
“We have had consistent numbers at training,” Duncan said.
“We had 33 before Christmas and last week we had everyone out, so I had to change a few drills around.
“I have told the blokes there will be players who miss out in Round 1, but I have told them to go back to the ressies, say stuff the coach and make me pick them.”
On Cordy and Pfitzner, Duncan was certainly happy to have the pair at Glencoe.
“We have been happy they have come in,” he said.
“Jacob is part of the group as part of the family, but Matt has come in, made a spot in the group and has been warmly welcomed.”
Duncan has had little to do with Glencoe in the past, other than playing against the Murphies or spectating women’s football.
That of course has now changed and he seems happy in his new surroundings.
“There are good people everywhere, so I want to get in and meet all the faithfuls who make the club what it is,” he said.
“I think they are looking for success, so there is drive there from the football operations side of things, the club and the players.
“I think it is a good hunger to have.”
The Murphies will certainly be tested in the opening round, with premiership runners-up Hatherleigh heading to Glencoe.
“That will be a good measuring stick,” Duncan said.
“You go into Round 1 and want to get some return for the hard work of pre-season, but you also know it is not going to be your Round 18 side.
“It is a good measuring stick because Hatherleigh made the grand final last season, so we will see where we are at.”
