PROFILE
An exodus of players, combined with long term injuries, will see the Mallee Eagles invest in their young local talent in 2023.
Having spent the pre-Covid years fighting it out at the pointy end of the Central Murray ladder, the Eagles received a reality check last season – dropping out of the top five for the first time since 2016 amid an injury crisis.
But while a new season is about to dawn, those same injury issues may be about to wreak havoc on yet another campaign. Both Jacob Wade and Wes Bennett will miss at least the first half of the season as they recover from ACL injuries, along with gun midfielder Toby Sheahan, who will also miss a large chunk of 2023 with injury.
Adding to their woes is their lengthy departures list, with Tom McGregor, Jake Foster, Luke Doolan and Sam Dunstan all finding new homes this season, while Jack Shannahan is another who won’t be returning.
However, there is always a silver lining and, for the Mallee Eagles, it will be the increased opportunities afforded to their developing juniors.
Billy and Jacob O’Meara are expected to get their chance to impress, along with Harry McGregor, Jonah Devlin, Liam Drummond and Charlie Kingwill – and it’s the prospect of the next generation of Lalbert footballers that has senior coach Brent Sheahan excited.
“There’s five or six kids coming through that will push for senior selection – they’re all super keen, have put in a big pre-season and the entire club is looking forward to seeing what they can produce,” Sheahan said.
“Losing players, especially to injury, is never great, but at the same time it’s provided us with a great opportunity to play the kids.”
While the focus will clearly be on the up-and-coming juniors, the Eagles have secured the services of a number of experienced heads from down south.
Joe Halloran’s arrival at the nest is a timely one, with the former TAC Cup defender set to fill the vacancy left by McGregor at full-back. Also pulling on the blue and gold this season will be defender Brett Thomas, midfielder Matthew Despott and Thomson Football Club pair Brent Macleod and Brandon Gardiner from the Geelong District league.
Even with key on-ballers Harry Allen, Beau Bennett, Angus McKenzie and Darcy McGregor remaining at the club, the change in personal will force some adjustments in the way they move the ball, according to Sheahan.
“Our midfield depth has probably been a bit of an achilles heel for us in the past and we’ve probably relied on our rebounding half-backs a bit much, so we’re really hoping we can improve both in the clearances and around the ground,” Sheahan said.
“Compared to previous seasons, we’re probably going to be a little bit smaller in the forward line.
“It’ll change the way we bring the ball inside our attacking 50 and instead of sitting it on the head of our key forwards, we might just have to lower our eyes and hit up the shorter target.
“That said, I think it’ll help our footy out a little bit if we’re not a one-man band in the forward line and can spread the load a bit instead.”
FROM THE COACH
“We want to be pushing to play finals still and at least be aiming for fourth or fifth – I think that’s a realistic target for us. Injuries have hampered us these past couple of seasons, so keeping everyone fit and healthy and on the park will be a big focus as well.”
INS & OUT’S
INS
Brent Macleod (Thomson)
Brandon Gardiner (Thomson)
Brett Thomas (Keilor Park)
Joe Halloran (Werribee Districts)
Matthew Despott (Gisborne)
OUTS
Tom McGregor (Pyramid Hill)
Jake Foster (Ultima)
Luke Doolan (Ultima)
Sam Dunstan (Donald)
Jacob Wade (ACL)
Wes Bennett (ACL)
Jack Shannahan
WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2023
It’s hard to know exactly what to expect from the Eagles this season, other than the fact that they will be competitive. Despite their injury woes last year, they were still competitive in almost every game – except for their Round 15 loss to Kerang. They also have a favorable start to the season, with winnable games against Lake Boga, Swan Hill, Tooleybuc-Manangatang and NNW United within the first five rounds. If they can find a way to be at least 3-2, then who knows what could happen. But anything less than two wins in that first five weeks and it could be a long season at Lalbert.
KEY PLAYER
Harry Allen
Still the Eagles main ball winner and barometer for the side. The 2019 Jack Betts Medalist is the one who opposition sides target, with his clean disposal and ball winning ability among the best in the competition. Rarely wastes a disposal and is clearly the Eagles best player.
BIG IMPROVER
Zac O’Meara
O’Meara has been burning up the track this pre-season and looks in as good a shape as ever. Has been threatening to take his game to another level in recent years and with extra opportunities that will be afforded him, 2023 looks to be that season. Can play at either end of the ground, but could be of better value in defence, where his ability to read the play saw him become a valuable intercept defender in numerous matches last season.
THE BURNING QUESTION
Has the premiership window closed for the Eagles?
There were many reasons why the Eagles missed finals last year, with a horror run with injuries the main one. But with several departures and some key players on the long-term injury list, it’s hard to see them improving dramatically on last season. Their forward line is a concern – and while Sam Dunstan may have taken too much of their focus at times and made them too predictable, he was also a damn good player. Equally, the other end of the ground also appears thin on paper without Tom McGregor or Jacob Wade there to hold down the fort.
MALLEE EAGLES PREDICTED BEST 22
B. Clinton Cummins – Joe Halloran – Braidon Bennett
HB. Ayden Tessari – Zac O’Meara – Brett Thomas
C. Beau Bennett – Harry Allen – Darcy McGregor
HF. Matthew Despott – Andrew McDonald – Brandon Gardiner
F. Ethan Pinchen – Brent Macleod – Callum Dickinson
R. Angus McKenzie – Brady Fordham – Brent SheahanINT. Billy O’Meara – Josh Bibby – Harry McGregor – Hamish McGregor
