Melton Centrals are looking to build on the momentum of a positive off-season.
The Riddell District Football League outfit has moved to its new base at Arnolds Creek and welcomed about 15 new recruits.
Melton coach Glenn Hopkins says the club targeted a number of local players and former Centrals in an effort to create a true community feeling.
“We’ve recruited really strongly,” he said.
“We tried to get as many Melton people back to our club as we could rather than bring guys in from the outside. We’re building a community football club and we need to get local, community players.
“The senior team will have a totally different look to it, as will our reserves.”
Leading the list of former Centrals returning is John O’Brien, who has been playing in the Western Region Football League with Albion and was an interleague representative.
He will be joined at the Centrals by exciting new talents such as Levi Sands, formerly on the list of AFL club Sydney.
Sands has also been a strong contributor in the North East Australian Football League.
Matt Gilmore has come to the club from the North Central league, while Shane Fitzgerald is from Western Australia.
Melton is coming off a tough RDFL season in which the club won just two games. Hopkins says he’ll be looking to the new recruits to be leaders as the club attempts to bounce back.
“Our captain will be Kane Bullen,” Hopkins said. “He was an excellent leader for us through the tough times of last year.
“Having good examples for the young under- 18s is something we think we needed to add.
“We have brought in those good experienced footballers who the kids are going to learn from and grow off. It’s also about having enough good senior players to make the kids earn their spots.”
Centrals’ official leadership group will be decided in the coming weeks.
Melton will play practice matches against Central Highlands club Gordon, Port Arlington and North Heidelberg before opening the season against Rockbank on April 9.
The game will be a stand-alone fixture on a Saturday night, with Hopkins saying it presents a great opportunity to showcase the club.
“We have so many juniors this year; our numbers in that area have really risen,” he said.
“We want to encourage those juniors and their parents to come along and watch our footy.”
