About 10 football recruits are expected to line up for Corowa Rutherglen seniors in Round 1 against Albury this Saturday at John Foord Oval.
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Senior coach Steve Owen said he is really pleased with the position the club is in regarding the playing list.
“Whilst we would certainly love a few more players to assist with our reserves, I feel we are not the only club who would appreciate more players,” he told The Free Press.
The job confronting the club to get two senior teams back was massive.
“Our recruiting team hasn't stopped since before I came on board in December 2022. The recruitment team has been absolutely fantastic throughout and bringing in the likes of Ben Talarico and Gus Macleod have provided new avenues and networks to recruit,” Owen said.
“When we set out rebuilding our list, we made a focus on bringing people in who were of good character and who would enjoy the lifestyle Corowa has to offer.
“This has helped with the playing group to jell and there is a real sense of excitement and mateship within this group, which was evident at our football camp the weekend before last.”
Owen considered it essential the group get to know each other off the field and form these relationships first; combining this with thorough guidance and direction about the side’s game plan for 2024, there’s a strong belief the group will to jell quite quickly on the field.
The group has done everything asked of them over the pre-season and more according to the senior coach. “I know the boys are looking forward to the season commencing,” Owen said.
“We are comfortable where the football list is at in relation to fielding a senior and reserves tesm each week.
“We also have a handful of recently retired footballers in our community who have put their hand up to fill in when needed.”
When the club decision was to sit out the 2023 season, at least 350 players had been contacted by club recruiters.
“I dare say we would've spoken to at least double that, not only in relation to this season but also season 2025,” Owen said.
“We have a group of players in Melbourne and Geelong, we have organised clubs for these players to train at with Brady Morton overseeing their conditioning and injury management.
“You cannot underestimate the impact of having players like Joe Hansen, Bailey Pirnag, Jedd Ansell return from Lavington and the likes of Mak Lavis and Jordy Eyers come back from Geelong. Their commitment to ensuring the club returned this year has been more crucial than any new recruits coming on board. I'm sure they had multiple offers to play elsewhere, but I think it is a true show of character and trust in the direction the football club is heading.”
The football and netball departments wouldn't be preparing for Round 1 without the unwavering support received from the CRFNC Board according to Owen.
“We outlined a clear plan to return to the field and ways to improve the club and the board has done everything they can to support our ideas and plans,” he said.
Club supporters can expect an exciting brand of football from Corowa this year. “The players are fit and our core group of young players will back themselves at the contest,” Owen said.
“Whilst we may not win every game, I feel our supporters will never question our effort and work rate.”
Netball all set too
Among this year’s leaders in netball are, Noel Halton (assisting B Grade), Grace O’Brien (C Grade) Jemma Smith (17’s assistant) and A, B and 17’s coach Sophie Hanrahan.
A lot of hard work has also gone on in respect to numbers for netball. It’s also a welcome back to Corowa for some netballers and a welcome to Corowa for recruits.
It’s likely the senior A Grade will have three returning players and five recruits lining up at home this Saturday.
“We are pleased with numbers,” club secretary Rowena Black said. “We have good talent across all grades.
“It’s exciting and it will be good to see how they all jell together.”
It has been an outstanding effort by Corowa Rutherglen Football Netball Club to have its senior football and netball teams back in the Ovens and Murray league after the devastating floods in November 2022 and a shortage of senior players, forcing the club to forego season 2023.
The message to Roos’ fans by Rowena and Steve is : “Come down to JFO, not only for Round 1, but for all our home games and enjoy the fantastic atmosphere around the club and appreciate having football and netball back in Corowa.”
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