There is an air of confidence within the Stawell Callawadda Estate Warriors camp that season 2016 could be a drought-breaking year in the Wimmera Football League.
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Coach Brad Thomas said the vibe around the club had been excellent throughout pre-season training and a strong recruiting campaign should see the Warriors improve on their fourth placed finish in 2015.
“That’s our aim, to improve on where we finished last season,” Thomas said.
“Our recruiting has been successful and we have a lot of young players stepping up, so there’s a real positive feeling around the club at the moment.”
Among the star recruits for Warriors this season will be power forward David Andrivon.
The prolific goalkicker, who measures in at six foot, has been recruited from Tyntinder in the Central Murray League, where he had previously played alongside Brad Thomas. Thomas said he was excited by the prospect of adding another goalkicking option, to assist the likes of Darwin import Jack Musgrove, who will be returning to the club this season.
“David certainly has the x-factor,” Thomas said.
Warriors have also recruited Simon Brearly from Nhill. Brearly coached the Tigers in 2011-12, won best and fairest awards at both Nhill and St Arnaud and was runner in the Toohey Medal in 2013. He will take on the role of development coach for juniors.
Former Stawell junior Asneil De Clifford has returned to his home club after studying at Wagga. According to Thomas, the youngster will play senior football. Among the other recruits are Jesse Poulton, who was in the Gippsland Power TAC Cup squad in 2009, Damien Joiner from Swifts, Darwin import Hugh McMurtrie who will play the first three games and Jonathon Pollock who returns.
Thomas is also excited that Tom Taurau, brother of Stawell young gun Jackson, has nominated Warriors as his home club while he tries out for the North Ballarat Roosters in the VFL.
“We are thrilled that Tom has nominated Stawell as his home club,” Thomas said.
“When he's not with the Roosters, Tom will line up with us and that will enable us to support him with his endeavours to break into the VFL ranks with the Roosters.”
Along with the new recruits, 11 players will step up from the under 17 ranks.
Stawell will lose two players, Scott Driscoll to Modewarre in the Bellarine League and Liam Nuske to Yarrawonga.
