Spalding sees progress as February arrives

Now into their fourth week back from the Christmas break, the playing group have returned in good condition and are progressing well according to Senior Coach Earl Spalding.

With the first of two intra-club scratch matches to be played next Saturday, Spalding says defensive aspects and ball movement continue to be a focus out on the track.

"We’re still working through our defensive structures and we’ve started doing a bit of our ball movement as well," Spalding says.

"We're certainly seeing some progress."

The playing group ventures north to Cervantes this weekend for a two day training camp.

The leadership and coaching group travel up on Friday afternoon and will be joined by the rest of the playing group on Saturday morning.

Spalding says the camp is primarily for educational purposes.

"There'll be a bit of bonding...we’ll also be presenting our structures to the group so it’s more of an educational weekend than a flogging weekend,” Spalding says.

Spalding believes the camp will be a good opportunity to build some confidence amongst the young group heading into an important time of the year.

"It’s one of those times of the year where you’re just not sure," Spalding says.

"I think it’s going to be a pretty even season so that gives you opportunity and you’ve got to be able to take them so early games and early confidence is going to be paramount.

"That’s part of the reason for going away…getting them around each other and more familiar with each other and feeling good about each other."   

Spalding has been impressed with what he's seen from last year's colts in what is their first senior preseason.

“The young kids who’ve come up from the colts have been fantastic,” Spalding says.

“Zareth and young Gordy Narrier they’ll be around the mark come round one I think, they both bring parts to the game which we’re in need of.

“It’s still going to be a development year for quite a few of the young guys but they’ve been training really well.”

Aside from the graduating colts, Spalding has been pleased with the preseason form shown by several other young players.

“Cody Leggett has stepped up again, I look forward to seeing how he goes with the preseason he’s put in, he’s been fantastic,” Spalding says.

“Spencer injury free and Sammy Garstone’s been training really well too so I look forward to seeing how he goes against some opposition.”

Spalding says the focus will continue to be defensive structure and ball movement over the next six weeks in the lead up to round one.

"I think we’ve just got to keep working on our ball movement and our defensive structure," Spalding says.

"If we can get that right it’ll make us hard to score against and when we get our looks hopefully we can score a bit more freely than we have been.”

The Club's first of two intra-club scratch matches will be held at Gosnells Oval next Saturday 11th February from 10am.