Garry Ramsay tackled his second season back at the club as senior coach with a vigorous pursuit of new players for the 2009 season to provide some much needed on field success.
Pre-season was excellent with more than 60 players regularly on the training track despite a very disrupted pre-season due to the warm season grass conversion of Cracknell Reserve keeping the club off its home ground until March. Recruiting during the pre-season was fruitful with some high calibre additions including full forward Ben Gill and on-baller Danny Strickland. (After receiving the senior “most consistent” award for 2009 and finishing 4th in the clubs best player count, Danny was tragically killed in a water skiing accident in early 2010). Former club President Gavin Ward organised the inaugural Sportsman Night in March which was acclaimed as a wonderful club event to kick off the new season.
However, the club failed to win a sufficient number of games throughout the season and although there were some very competitive performances against high quality teams, the results were clearly inadequate and very disappointing for all involved.
The resilience of the club showed through as the community continued to show great support for their local team, sponsorship remained strong and the Committee was solid and focused. The playing group probably didn’t do enough to reward the hard work that’s been put in to support them.
The challenge before the club is an immense one, With Garry Ramsay deciding not to continue in his role as senoircoach, Former Club spearhead John’ Hollywood’ Garrard has returned and taken the reins as senior coach for the 2010 season.
