By Trevor Jackson
MOUNT Burr Football Club has tasted its share of success in the Mid South Eastern Football League but last year they finished mid-field in a tough season.
A combination of the recruitment process and players returning from injury provide some hope of returning to the pointy end of the ladder.
Tom Fennel returns to the club and several others have returned from injury to help bolster the ranks.
For A Grade coach Reece Duncan all is in order to have a tilt at more success.
“We are looking good,” Ducan said.
“I am pretty happy with how we are travelling and we are keen for Round 1.”
The Mozzies were put to the test in a pre-season clash with Millicent, which Duncan said went well.
“It was a good hit out for both sides,” he said.
“It was a bit scrappy but it was good to have a run.”
The desire for this season is simple – return to the finals and see where that takes them.
“The first expectation is to be back in finals,” Duncan said.
“That is where we belong and that is where we need to be.
“Once you make finals anything can happen.
“Everyone is on the same page and understands what it takes.
“Mount Burr has always been a strong club and I think the last couple of years missing finals has probably woken the boys up a bit.”
Depth will obviously play a huge role in Mount Burr’s chances to reach the post-season.
However, Duncan is positive about the season, with B Grade coach Rob Francis on the job.
“Rob Francis has made sure we have a lot of young guys coming out and being involved,” Duncan said.
“Our numbers are looking good on the track at the moment but our depth needs to be better than last year.
“I am happy with it at this stage.
“We have some good young kids and B-graders who have been committed to pre-season.”
Duncan suggested the success of Mount Burr over the years was driven as much by the community as the players.
He said the culture at the club was something that extended into the community and the pressure came to perform.
“You hear about the culture at the club and since I was young I wondered why Mount Burr could get players and keep them there,” Duncan said.
“They always seemed to stick around.
“The supporters are so involved with it all and they expect to win as much as the players .
“So the expectation is driven not just by the players or the club or the leaders but also by the supporters and volunteers.
“They have always been successful so that is what they expect.
“It is good pressure to have.”
