PROFILE
AFTER their disappointing fade-out in last year’s semi-final, Wandella will be out for revenge when they kick off the new season against Macorna.
With that dismal showing still fresh in their minds, the Bombers hierarchy wasted no time getting their teeth stuck into the new season, with a number of key signings set to leave them better placed going into a make-or-break year for the club.
Marong premiership midfielder Adam Ward is the key signing, alongside Quambatook key defenders Jarred Schlitz and Jonty Taylor. Also putting pen to paper for the Bombers are former players Cal Gray and Brock Henderson, as well as Leitchville-Gunbower ruckman Lee Pollack, who will form part of a very strong ruck combination with Ricky Cathie and Leighton Wilkins.
Logan Keighran will return for his second season as coach and was pleased with his club’s off-season efforts – especially adding some much-needed height to their playing list.
“The ruck was an area we identified last season, we just needed to get a bit more height and depth across the ground, considering we had a couple of injuries last season that left us short,” Keighran said.
“Jarred Schlitz will be huge for us – between him, Jonty Taylor and Matt Wilkinson, who is coming back, they will really strengthen up our defence.”
With Tim Robinson set to be deployed in more of a running defender role, Wandella will be clearly looking to play a more attacking game style. Add Russell Rich, Kane Timmins and Mitch Collins into the midfield mix and it’s clear to see speed will be the Bombers modus operandi in 2023.
“We’ve tried to refine our game style a little bit more, we want to move the ball a bit quicker now we have the players to do it,” Keighran said.
“We won’t be the biggest team out there, so we’ll have to play to our strengths, which will be our speed and getting the ball on the outside and moving it quickly.
“We found last year when we slowed the game down, it was hard for us to break through the defence – but when we got it moving quickly, we looked very dangerous.”
FROM THE COACH
“We want to be playing on the last day of the season – that’s our goal this year, to give ourselves the best chance possible to be there on the last day and then win it.”
KEY PLAYER
Tim Robinson: The long-time Wandella key defender is set to be deployed in a slightly different role this season, with the Bombers looking to utilise his run and drive out of the back half to more effect.
INs & OUTs
INs
Adam Ward (Marong)
Jarred Schlitz (Quambatook)
Jonty Taylor (Quambatook)
Lee Pollack (Leitchville-Gunbower)
Cal Gray (Returning)
Brock Henderson (Returning)
OUTs
Alex Kirby (Macorna)
Dillan Treacy (Carisbrook)
Mitch Treacy (Golden Square)
