A STRONG pre-season has set the foundation for a successful 2015 season, according to Collie Eagles head coach Brad Humble.
“We have had a really strong turnout for our training sessions throughout preseason,” he said.
“The player’s attitudes have been really positive and they are training extremely hard.
“The expectation this year is play finals.”
Collie has lost several key players from last year’s disappointing sixth-place finish.
"Tony Mirabella has led the fitness sessions this year and has the boys fitter than ever."
- Collie Eagles head coach Brad Humble
Humble believes player departures will not affect the team and has backed other players to step up from last year.
“We’ve got players such as Chase Griggs who had been outstanding in preseason and will be a regular league player this year,” he said.
“We also recruited for areas that I felt we required some more depth.
“Chris Harry has joined us from Victoria.
“He is a good tall centre half forward who will add power and goals to our forward line.
“Some former players have rejoined us from Williams, so overall I believe we are in a much better position this year.”
The 2013 grand finalists missed out on playing finals last year, which prompted a coaching change.
Humble was an assistant last year and put his hand up to take the reins this year as head coach.
“Promoting from within the club definitely helps as I already have good knowledge of the players and was able to quickly identify what needed to be improved on,” Humble said.
“[Player/coach] Tony Mirabella has led the fitness sessions this year and has the boys fitter than ever.
“We expect to hit the ground running and get a win at home against Donnybrook.”
Off the field the Eagles will be aiming to increase their presence in the community.
“We have a great bunch of players and we want to transfer that positivity into the community.
“We want the players to be good role models for the next generation – so expect to see us around.”