Sport
20 February, 2024
New Blues: aggression and structure
THEY were the sentimental glamour side of 2023 Loddon Valley football season - ending a 20-year finals drought. Fergus Payne had switched from Bendigo league powerhouse as assistant coach at Inglewood, becoming a crucial player as the Blues dug...
THEY were the sentimental glamour side of 2023 Loddon Valley football season - ending a 20-year finals drought.
Fergus Payne had switched from Bendigo league powerhouse as assistant coach at Inglewood, becoming a crucial player as the Blues dug themselves out of the doldrums.
Payne now has the reigns with the club once coached by Brownlow medallist Edward ‘Carjie” Grieves but without hoisting a premiership pennant since 1986.
The new coach wants his Blues to take another big step in 2024 and put a full turnout of players through rapid-fire drills at the weekend.
There were four buzz words drilled into players - structure, aggression, risk and enjoyment.
New players picked up by Inglewood include Mitch Conlan (Jerilderie), Sam Gorrie (Eaglehawk under 18s), Jordan Leach (Jeparit Rainbow), Harry Bogaski (Newstead), South Bendigo trio osh Lea, Josh Stokes and Jack Rutter with Aaron Lister and Jack Harvey returning to the club.
“Last year we played a more natural style of football, playing on the strengths of certain players to win,” Payne said.
“This year, I want the team, even if not playing the best, to still take a risk and in turn rely on all 22 players.
“And getting more out of the players with our structure ... everyone lifting 10 or 15 per cent.”
And enjoyment? “If everyone is enjoying their football you will usually play good football,” Payne said.
The Blues have few losses for the gallant side that went down to arch rival Bridgewater in the elimination final by 24 points, still with a sniff of continuing the sentimental journey last year until the final minutes.
One key loss will be gritty young defender Jaspa Wendels. The home-grown local has headed north to study agriculture business at Charles Sturt University. His football this season could be played in Riverina league.
Wendels like fellow young gun and two-time Loddon Valley under 18 best and fairest Gabe Nevins had become fixtures in the senior side of the past two seasons as glimpses of the future started to materialise into rising up the ladder.
Payne says he sees greater professional emerging at Inglewood.
“The structure of the team will encourage players to take risks and known when to take those risks.”
Inglewood will have a delayed start to season 2024 - drawing the bye in round one, up against the side it let slip last season, Bears Lagoon Serpentine and then the chance for early season redemption with the Anzac weekend clash against Bridgewater.
Hardly as easy opening few weeks of the season on the horizon for Inglewood.
But for a team that had moments of glamour and glitz and is now strengthened across every line after snagging a bevy of recruits out of Melbourne and from among Bendigo university students, the tough early games will give Payne the immediate chance to plot the path for Inglewood to move further up the ladder ... even if it means taking more risks.