By Tara Murray
New Rockbank coach Marty Weaver knows he has a challenge on his hands, but it’s one that he’s up for.
The Rams announced on Thursday that Weaver would coach the Riddell District Football League team next season.
With the side having won just five games in the past five seasons, Weaver knows he has some work ahead of him.
The Rams were winless this year.
“It is a bit exciting,” Weaver said. “It’s a bit of a challenge, a challenge that I’m up for.
“I’m certain that most sides pencil Rockbank in as a win. I want that to change.
“We want to start to be competitive and seen as someone that is on the improve. Hopefully we can start putting scores on the scoreboard.”
Weaver has previously coached at Caroline Springs, St Albans and Mt Waverley, but hasn’t coached the past four years because of work commitments.
Having played most of his football with Diggers Rest in the RDFL, he said Rockbank was always a club that he kept an eye on.
“I wanted to coach somewhere reasonably close to home,” said Weaver, who lives in Bacchus Marsh.
“Rockbank has always been an underdog. I’ve always focused on them and seen how they are travelling.”
Weaver has been pretty busy behind the scenes since he was appointed.
He has already got some assistant coaches on board, who he has previously worked with, including former Laverton and Caroline Springs senior coach Paul Growcott.
On field, Weaver has already spoken to a number of players about coming across and playing for the club.
He said with no junior sides at the top age brackets, they had to look outside to strengthen the side and give depth within the club.
“It has been pretty hectic,” he said.
“I’ve been speaking to a number of different guys to try and structure up well.
“If I can bring half a dozen to a dozen blokes, it would help make us competitive.”
Weaver said he wasn’t aware of any players that had left, which is a good sign.
“Hopefully everyone stays on board,” he said.
“Rockbank played finals four or five years ago. Hopefully we can get back there the next few years.”
Weaver said they wouldn’t set any targets in regards to wins this year, it was more about being competitive again.
The Rams had a percentage of just 6.64, showing the difference between them and the opposition.
He said they would start pre-season on Thursday night. “
We’ll do a lot of fitness and ball work early in the pre-season and then closer to the season we will start to ramp it up.”
Anyone interested in joining Rockbank can contact Marty on 0458 936 341 or Gavin on 0450 947 109.
