Tara Murray
There’s a positive start to life under new coach Travis Hodgson at Melton South.
After a few tough years on field for the Ballarat Football League club, a lot of hard work is going on behind the scenes to start turning things around.
Hodgson is aware of the big challenge ahead of him, but is already seeing some really good signs after a winless season.
“I didn’t see numbers on track in previous years, but the feedback has been that has been one of the struggles,” he said.
“Numbers have been good and we’ve had 50 on the track multiple nights and it’s usually hovering in the low 40s.
“They were struggling to get 20 on the track in previous years. There’s positive signs and the enthusiasm around the place, hopefully add a few more recruits.
“We’re not setting expectations just yet. We want to be more competitive. The average losing margin last season was 158.”
Hodgson said he feels like the club is heading in the right direction. They’ve announced a few new signings, while their core young talent has signed on for another season,
“A couple of the key criteria was to get in new players and to also get a few back and we’ve ticked a few boxes.
“Potentially we will tick a few more boxes.”
Hodgson said they have targeted specific players to bring to try and fill some of the holes.
The biggest name signing so far is former AFL player Patrick Veszpremi.
“He is the biggest name and brings that AFL experience,” Hodgson said. “The others will all play important roles.
“We’re aware we need to get players and numbers to club but with recruiting you have a limit with play points and money.
“We were really specific and we wanted to add some height. We had Broden Collins in the ruck and centre half back last season, but didn’t have any other height.
Stuart Hobijn-Allen joins the club from Airport West and has previously been Victorian Football League listed and brings plenty of flexibility.
Jayden Welch joins the Panthers from Broadford where he was playing coach the past two seasons.
He will add height and experience in the forward line.
Ryder Rousch will be another in the forward line, having crossed from the Sunbury Lions where he won the league under-19 best and fairest award by 10 votes despite missing several games due to playing seniors.
Hodgson said importantly their core group of young players led by Riley Theo, Mitch Fino, Cody Chapman and Collins, had all signed on.
He said with a few years of senior football now under their belts, he expects them to take even further strides with their games.
