PROFILE
After a turbulent off-season, Mitiamo will return with a vastly different team – and outlook – in 2023.
After being knocked out in the Semi Finals last season, the Superoos have undergone significant change – with a mass exodus forcing the club to not only look for new players, but also a new coach. While Mitiamo’s search for a new leader may have been a long one, it would also appear to have been a fruitful one – with four-time premiership coach Jon Varcoe coming on-board to lead the Superoos.
With Varcoe valuing selflessness and a “team first” mentality above all else, the now youthful and raw Mitiamo playing group should have no doubt as to what is expected of them prior to their Round 1 encounter with Runner’s-Up Bridgewater.
“The club has had a successful era, but that age profile was getting a bit older by the end of last season and even with a number of departures, it was probably time to regenerate the list anyway,” Varcoe said.
“We looked to bring in a group of seventeen-to-twenty-one-year olds as part of our recruiting and regenerating the list, just so we’re more balanced age wise – especially given we haven’t got an Under 18’s team.
“Everyone will be given a clear role and expectations on how to play their role, it’s going to take us a little bit of time to gel, but we’ll work hard on playing the style of football that will win us games and have twenty-two even contributors each week.”
While last year’s Best & Fairest Lee Dale, Carl Nicholson, Jarryd Wiegard and Michael I’Anson are among the many notable departures, the Superoos will still possess plenty of top end talent – with former Box Hill Hawks midfielder Michael Barnes set to join forces with Doug Thomas, Luke Lougoon and Jay Reynolds as being impactful players this season. With Barnes, as well as inside midfielder Mitch Byrne joining the club, Varcoe is confident Mitiamo’s on-ball brigade will be their big strength this season.
“I think we’ll have a reasonably strong midfield – we’ve got some experienced inside midfielders and some good run and carry players on the outside,” Varcoe said.
“We’re all just looking forward to getting into the games and seeing how they perform, but I’m confident that we’ll be competitive in the middle.”
FROM THE COACH
“We expect to be competitive and have a successful season on and off the field – we want to build a really good culture and bring some youth in and start developing the club for future success.”
KEY PLAYER
Jay Reynolds
Led Mitiamo’s goal kicking with 38 majors last season, and is set to be an important member of the Superoos’ forward line again.
IN’S & OUT’S
IN’S
Michael Barnes
Daniel Walters
Duncan Proud (Bunyip)
Mitch Byrne (Maryborough)
Ryan Byrne (Rochester)
Kobe Galvin (Longwood)
Tom Campbell (Golden Square)
Liam Jones (South Bendigo)
Lincon Hocking (South Bendigo)
Zach Morrison (Golden Square)
Rhys Varcoe
Halen Danzinger
Andrew Cussen
Dylan Clohesy
OUT’S
Sean Moss (Campbells Creek)
Ryan Wellington (Eaglehawk)
Matthew Grant (Marong)
Sean Hanrahan (Huntly)
Lee Dale
Jarryd Wiegard
Michael I’Anson
Kyle Patten
Harry McCormick
Carl Nicholson
Jack Vinnicombe
