The fall from grace since their 2014 finals performance hasn’t been a smooth one for the Rockbank Football Club. There’s been an exodus of players since they pushed a strong Riddell outfit in the 2014 Elimination Final, and whilst Rams coach Gavin Sporle admits that 2016 may be a development year as a result, the Rams have a long-term plan to climb back into the realms of respectability.
“We’re going to lose a large chunk of our senior side from 2015”, Sporle commented recently.
“We’ve focused on winding back cash payments within the club and we’re trying to add some financial stability around the football club”
“Our main goal for the club [this year] is to create a strategic plan off the field”.
“On the field, we want to develop the kids”.
“We want to make sure we get as much senior football into some young guys as we possibly can”.
Despite this, Sporle is heartened by Rockbank’s pre-season numbers, showing that rumors of the club’s demise are greatly exaggerated.
“We’ve probably averaged 20-25 on the track [per session]”, Sporle said.
“Overall, we’ve seen 52 guys on the track so far, which is decent enough numbers”.
“We’ve worked really hard to make sure we have the numbers here, and at times we might struggle for numbers in the two’s, but that’s no different to last year and no different to half the clubs in the competition”.
“The boys that are here every week are putting in the work and that’s great to see”.
Whilst their focus may be on development this year, the Rams have also managed to recruit players that could have an immediate impact on the field in season 2016.
“Patrick Lake’s come across from Pascoe Vale, he broke his leg at the start of last year so he’s missed a lot of footy”, Sporle remarked.
“He’s come across with Simon Lake, who’s our new Reserves coach and Patrick’s uncle, and he’s shown some great signs so far”.
“Outside of that we’ve got some guys out of Melton and Melton South again, locals that might not have gotten opportunities at other local clubs we’re giving a chance to, like Christian Azzopardi, and we’ve got young guys coming through like Matthew Voight and Alan Greenwood out of the Under 18’s who will be great”.
“What we’re trying to do is promote senior opportunities to local footballers looking to play and who aren’t just chasing a buck”
The Rams have started their road to Round 1 with their first practice match against Manor Lakes last weekend, ahead of opening their season at the new Arnold’s Creek Reserve against Melton Centrals
“[The Manor Lakes game] was a really good hit-out for us”, said Sporle.
“We had a really young side in, but it was great just to get out there and have a run”.
“We’ll back up, we play SMW Rovers this week and then North Footscray the following week before giving the guys Easter off”
“[Round 1] will be great, hopefully we can show up there and put on a bit of a show against our Melton City Council rivals”.
“It should be a good night and hopefully our guys put on a really good display”.
KEY MATCH-UPS
Round 1 v Melton Centrals (away, night) – we’ll see exactly what the Rams will be up against in 2016 against a Centrals side that have recruited well, but who were down the tail of the ladder with Rockbank last year.
Round 6 v Sunbury Kangaroos (away) – the Rams have had some against-the-odds wins over the Kangaroos in recent years, and with a week to freshen up after the interleague break, can they do it again?
Round 17 v Wallan (away) – we’ll know the story of the Rams 2016 season by then, and they’ll be keen to end it on a good note to garner some positivity going into the off-season.
PREDICTED FINISH: 11th-12th
Last Modified on 10/03/2016 11:24