Sport
2 December, 2023
New character test - rebounding Superoos
By CHRIS EARL JON VERCOE has been methodical and strategic plotting the next phase in the comeback of the once-dominant Loddon Valley Football League club Mitiamo. A year after answering the Superoos’ SOS call to coach a club struggling for...
By CHRIS EARL
JON VERCOE has been methodical and strategic plotting the next phase in the comeback of the once-dominant Loddon Valley Football League club Mitiamo.
A year after answering the Superoos’ SOS call to coach a club struggling for players, Vercoe had more than two dozen players on John Forbes Oval signalling the start of pre-season training on Sunday.
“If there’s anyone you don’t know, introduce yourselves,” Vercoe told players as they wrapped up the first session.
Back in April, the Superoos were still hunting for players in a season that would produce some highlights but no appearance in the finals.
“The early start is a sign of the semi-professionalism in the game now and very different to the disjointed off-season last year when we just didn’t get in a full pre-season,” Vercoe said.
He said the majority of 2024’s list would be players aged between 16 and 23.
“We’re working on a good culture, a fun factor,” he said.
“There are locals returning to the club and youngsters, too, and we’ve recruited out of Bendigo, Echuca, Rochester, Kerang, anywhere within an hour is the club’s catchment.”
“There is strategy in the plan, recruiting for certain roles, balancing the positions and the roles and the ages (of players).
“I’ve tried to have a list that’s balanced across each line.”
And Vercoe said the character of players was an important part of the recruitment strategy, mirroring a proven approach of Richmond administrator Graeme Richmond when building the dynastic Tigers in the VFL in the 1960s.
Richmond would be more interested in the player’s homelife sometimes and while Vercoe has not gone to those lengths in recruiting players, he admits to looking for players who “will come for the right reasons, people we want to build the culture”.
“I would rather guys putting the team first,” Vercoe said.
Andrew Cussen, who crossed from Kangaroo Flat after the 2019 season, has been appointed Vercoe’s assistant.
Alex Lloyd has been picked up out of Kerang to add depth to the Superoos’ forward line.
Tall mobile player Jake Price who has previously played on the wing and half back flank is switching from Heathcote league club Huntly while the recruit list also boasts Jack Vinnicombe (Golden Square) and the returning Nathan Twigg along with Zak Myers, Bryce Laird, Liam Shiell, Marong under 18 pair Brodie Coombs and Jacob Manning, Ethan Coombs and Nick Hicks.
Vercoe says recruiting is continuing but the club is in a far better position than a year ago.
Fitness. skills and the game plan are his focus in pre-season.
“All we can control is ourselves,” he said. “Organise our game plan and enjoy ourselves.”
“And with the majority of the list in that 16-23 age group, where that takes us who knows?
“Every club in the league is looking to improve and that’s good,” said Vercoe.
Player depth that hindered the Superoos in 2023 could become a memory in the seniors and reserves.
They have appointed former player Sean Hanrahan as coach of the seconds.
Four wins in the second half of the season lifted Mitiamo to sixth spot on the senior ladder last season, but well behind fifth placed Bridgewater. The seconds had five wins to come in seventh.
Club officials have hailed the turnaround of the Superoos since they put Vercoe in the hot seat last November.
Flying players from interstate has stopped as Vercoe casts his recruiting net across central and northern Victoria, focus matched with equal determination to nurture young players in the Mitiamo district.
Those colts, earning junior stripes with East Loddon Rams, are also building a future for the Superoos with opportunities in senior and reserve ranks.
“We have to be patient in rebuilding the sides ... you can’t have success all the time,” said Vercoe.