Preseason review from Senior Coach, Earl Spalding

We have now been back in post-Christmas training for five weeks and have nearly got a full contingent on the track. The last to join us after having both ankles cleaned out is Lennon Marlin, who will commence running in the next week or two.

Sam Garstone, Cody Ninyette, Mitch Lague, Jared Bell, Zareth Roe & Clint Jones have all had interrupted off seasons, due to surgery or rest from significant injuries last year, but have been running for a while now and are slowly being integrated back into the main group. Touch wood, at this early stage, we should have close to our entire list to choose from for Round 1 on the 6^th April.

I have been really impressed by the attitude our players have brought with them since we started back on the 19^th of November and as a group they are as fit as I’ve seen them in my time here. Our new S&C team has been driving them pretty hard and they have embraced the challenge.

We have had a big focus on defence (in particular our defensive structures) and ball move in our main sessions so far. Our defence continues to be a work in progress, but as they gel and grow more confident with it the improvement will come quickly.

Our new recruits in Matt Rogers and  Chris Bryan continue to impress on the track, in particular Matt, who brings a wealth of experience back with him from Swans and his leadership is already shining through.

Gordon Narrier has had a minor setback with a little knee niggle, but was really impressive pre-Christmas. Other returning players in Josh Burke and Jacob Payne have shown they will be solid contributors this season as they build towards peak fitness.

Of the graduating Colts, Austin Davis, Ethan Hansen and Damian Bennell are been leading the way and have shown they will be knocking on the door for Senior selection early in the season, with Nyika John, Connor Sing and Zac Casey not far behind them. The most important thing with these young men, who are the future of the football club, is that they all have a strong work ethic.

We still have three weeks before our first intra-club game on the 2^nd of March, but the boys are jumping out of their skin to get into the games  and it can’t come around quick enough.

On behalf of the Perth Football Club players, coaching staff and support staff – thank you for your support of the Club. We look forward to seeing at the matches this season.