By Trevor Jackson
TANTANOOLA Football Club has continued its recent building phase, with no departures during the Mid South East off-season.
Coach Jack Dawe has some confidence his side can improve on last year, with five extra names added to the starting list.
The only out from last year is Ellis Cushion, having suffered an ACL problem.
“Ellis might be available for the last six or eight weeks, but he might be better off having the year off,” Dawe said of the young charge.
“This would have been his first full year in seniors and he is a good footballer for his age, so we will see how he goes.”
As for the coaching staff, it also remains from last year, with Jason Dawe and team manager Josh Rowe assisting Jack Dawe from the bench.
One of the most important factors this season for the Tigers is the fact the list has basically been together now for basically several seasons with few changes and no changes since last season.
“This is the second year we have been able to keep the list the same,” Dawe said.
“Last year we had two or three more wins compared to previous years and if we can match that, it is a win for us.
“The list we have now, I can’t see anyone leaving, so if we can keep building on that, good things are to come.”
Another major factor is the continued growth of the youngsters in the club, which Dawe is excited about.
“All our young kids are starting to come of age now,” he said.
“Instead of 17, 18-years-olds, they are 21, 22, 23-year-olds and starting to get some more body behind them.”
The training track has also been well utilised in the pre-season, with a solid turnout every session.
For Dawe, it is now a matter of putting it all into action.
“We are looking a lot better than last year, so it is a matter of how the team gels and how everyone else has gone with their recruiting,” he said.
“We have had a good turnout for training sessions – probably the best pre-season we have had for a while.
“We just have to put it on the track now.”
Tantanoola hosts Robe in Round 1 on Saturday to kick the season off.
