Macorna
THE addition of powerful key-position players was a strong focus at Macorna over the off-season, who already have the capacity to win the hard ball but lacked direction.
Last year’s Golden Rivers Most Valuable Player Lachlan Ritchie and fellow midfielder Shaun Haffenden were big contributors to Macorna’s campaign but were often asked to fill positions across the ground.
The decision to move Ritchie to a forward position paid off, though, the Tiger leading his side in goal kicking with 34, which included a big bag of eight in round four.
With Haffenden leaving the club, and young midfielder Jack Featherby making the move to Moulamein, Macorna’s additions have focused on big-bodied midfielders with the ability to run up forward.
“Last year we had a few injury concerns around our big guys,” said coach Scott Wishart.
“We just think this year we’ve got a few more to cover that area if we need to.
“We’ve also got a little bit more run and carry and probably a few more numbers that can go through our midfield.”
The pairing of St Bede’s Johnny Dawes and Huntly’s Kurt Forder, who can both play in the ruck and forward or back respectively, adds strong support through the spine of the team.
The additions of Oscar Donn and Josh Macpherson from UTS Bats add extra skill to the Tigers midfield, while the return of Macorna junior Laing Whinfield will have supporters excited.
The poles of Josh Cameron and Malcom Neiwand may find themselves sharing time between forward and on-ball, as the new recruits make their impact.
Key defender and runner-up in Macorna’s best-and-fairest, Nick Ingleton, will be important again as he holds down the Tigers backline.
But he will have fresh support from the likes of Forder and Travis Mercadante, who has the ability to play all across the ground.
Having scraped into the finals last year in fourth position, Macorna will be hoping their new recruits gel quickly and see them up the ladder.
Macorna closed out 2023 with a 90-point semi-final loss to eventual premiers, Hay, and will be looking to venture further into the finals.
But as clubs around them strengthen, the Tigers will need things to go their way if they want to be there at the end of finals.
Ins: Koby Gibson (Huntly), Travis Mercadante (Huntly), Kurt Forder (Huntly), Damian Kitchingman (Maldon), Josh Macpherson (UTS Bats), Oscar Donn(UTS Bats), Laing Whinfield (Cowra), Johnny Dawes (St Bede’s).
Outs: Jack Featherby (Moulamein), Shaun Haffenden.
Key Player: Lachlan Ritchie.
THE Swiss Army knife of Macorna’s side, Ritchie was well rewarded for last year’s performance with the league’s MVP award in his second year at the Tiger’s den.
Having played in the NEAFL and QAFL, Ritchie has immense experience and brings others up to his level.
Having spent time up forward, in defence and even in the ruck, Ritchie is known for his overhead marking ability.
From the coach: Scott Wishart
“We don’t want to put a ceiling on our guys, and will back them in and give them every opportunity to be as good as they can.
We think that if we play somewhere near our best, we will be near the pointy end of things.
We know that on your day, you can beat anyone else in the league.
I think we were pretty good around the footy last year, and that’s what Macorna is known for; being a tough, hard club to play against.
We think we’ve got a pretty good spread of players coming in, so we will have a bit of a better balanced squad this year.”
