By Jonathan Box

Ararat Eagles had their toughest year since joining Mininera and District Football League in 2019.

All season they tried hard to get a team on the park for weekly games. 

On the days their reserves played, most of them played two games to fill numbers. This also included juniors.

Ararat Eagles have worked hard on and off the field during the off season for a great outcome, signing a full complement of new coaches and about 35 senior footballers with numbers still growing.   

Some of the prospective returning names in season 2020 include Brent and Nicholas Bulger, Tom Taurau, Jackson Taurau, Naish McRoberts, Isaiah Palamo and Ben Robertson.

Tom Taurau and McRoberts are coach Brett Sladdin’s assistants.

A few of these players who have returned to their home club have shown that home is always where the heart is in country football.  

They have returned to help out where many of them won junior premierships and started off their successful football careers.

And the action of committee members and players has potentially turned the tables for the club and again given it a future.

Hopefully the players will continue on through this year’s unknown season and they will get the opportunity to strut their stuff when we finally get back into the action.

Many of last year’s players appear set to return and with the influx of top-class footballers the Eagles will be able to push any team in the league.

As far as the Ararat Eagles committee, players and supporters go – it just goes to show that with the right people behind the scenes and a glimmer of hope, anyone can turn circumstances around.

The feeling is reflected in comments from president Nats McRoberts, who wrote: “I personally thank Mick Jennings, the board and the clubs affiliated with MDFL for supporting the Ararat Eagles in what was one of the club’s toughest years to date. Our local community, onlookers from afar, sponsors and media have also shown their support – it has been much appreciated and also very overwhelming. In briefly summarising season 2019, it was the most challenging time for the club and the potential of going into recess was very real, however, not an option. Full credit goes to our members and players who elected to do the hard yards and those I’ve mentioned in the above that assisted us throughout the duration of 2019.”

Coaches: 

Seniors: Brett Sladdin

Reserves: Andrew Dunn and Sean Smart

Under-16.5s: Laurie Moyle and Ned Hutchinson

Under-14s: Matt Butler

 

The entire April 1, 2020 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!