Melton Centrals calling on new recruits to bolster club

Melton players with Western Bulldogs star Nicky Callinan. (Supplied)

Melton Centrals are looking for more players for the upcoming AFL Goldfields women’s season.

It’s been a slow start to the off season for Centrals, with retirements and players leaving to play at a higher level, leaving the side short of numbers.

Centrals’ Janelle Martin said things were looking dire earlier this year, but they were slowly recovering.

“We’re hoping that it’s like every other year, no one wants to do pre-season and they turn up before the season starts,” she said.

“The numbers are better than they were. We’ve got about 15 girls and that’s not including the old bucks who have retired. We’ll pull on the jumper if we have to, but would rather not.”

Martin said they were looking for players of all abilities and people were welcome to come to training to try it out.

Two weeks ago, the club had Western Bulldogs vice-captain Nicky Callinan run a well-supported clinic at the club.

Callinan started her career at Centrals before progressing through the ranks.

With a call-out for new players Centrals have also appointed a new coach for this year.

Martin, who coached the women’s side last season, stood down from the role and Stephen Holmes has taken over the reigns.

“His daughter plays in our youth league side,” Martin said. “He had never coached before but had been involved with football his whole life.

“He’s recently retired and decided he wanted to get involved.”

Interested players can contact Janelle on, 0413 148 807.