Melton Phoenix is hoping its coming FFV state league 4 west season will build on the momentum created at the end of 2016.
The Phoenix had an up and down 2016, starting and finishing well, but with a down patch in the middle of the season.
With wins from six of its past seven games, the Phoenix finished fifth – eight points behind division winners Brimbank Stallions.
The club has appointed Ozzy Inal as coach for this season.
Inal coached the side for the last seven games last season after the club parted ways with Peter Schwellinger, who had been coach since 2015.
“I got into coaching after I had a knee reconstruction and it didn’t recover well enough to keep playing,” Inal said.
“I took up coaching to stay involved.
“Two years ago, I was a senior assistant coach and last season I took on the reserves coaching role.
“When the senior coach parted ways with the club, we were in a bad spot, sitting eighth on the ladder.”
The Phoenix turned it around and missed promotion by just five points.
The finish to the season excited Inal and showed exactly what the players can do.
“There had been 7-0 and 8-0 losses,” he said. “I’m good friends with a lot of the players from my playing days.
“A bit of heart and hard work, along with changing a few things, and we turned it around.”
Inal, who was the club’s vice-president last year, said it looked like the Phoenix would be able to hold on to most of last year’s playing group.
“Out of the 25, I think most of them are staying,” he said.
“Training starts on Tuesday and we’ll have more of an idea then.”
Inal said the players who weren’t going to return were set to try out with sides at higher levels.
He said they would hopefully have three to four new players to add to the side.
“I’m never going to hold back players who want to try themselves at a higher level,” he said.
“I’m happy to develop young players, bring them through the side and get them senior games.”
Inal said the club had been active putting together the right off-field group as well.
“We had a good team and trusted them to turn it around,” he said.
“We’ve got a fitness and conditioning coach on board and appointed an assistant coach.
“We’re in a strong position off field.”
