BROADFORD coach Nathan Thompson says he is under no illusion as to the challenge facing his young Kangaroos side in their BFNL debut against South Bendigo this Saturday.<\/p>\n
But he believes the fight shown and effort that has gone into getting the club back off the canvas after two years in recess will hold them in good stead during their first season in the Bendigo league.<\/p>\n
A tough first-up test looms, with South Bendigo widely touted as a premiership contender following a fruitful off-season on the recruiting front.<\/p>\n
Given the long wait from the announcement of Broadford’s admission to the BFNL in October 2024 to Saturday’s encounter against the Bloods, Thompson is rapt to see the finishing post in sight.<\/p>\n
He said what the club and Broadford community had achieved in getting up and running was truly amazing.<\/p>\n
“It’s been a big effort \u2026. massive,” he said.<\/p>\n
“I’m sure there was a lot of scepticism \u2013 and there was \u2013 about the league decision and all the rest of it; coming into a good comp. And Bendigo is a good comp.<\/p>\n
“To actually get all the teams together, coming out of recess and to be ready to go for round one, has been a huge effort and should be celebrated.<\/p>\n
“The club is excited; the town is excited \u2013 but not taking away from the fact it’s going to be a huge challenge against a very good club.<\/p>\n
“They (South Bendigo) are going to be right at the whips cracking end.<\/p>\n
“I have huge respect for their club and a huge respect for Troy (Coates) as a coach.<\/p>\n
“He has a great resume and reputation in country football, so we’re certainly under no illusion as to what’s coming to Broadford on the 28th of March.<\/p>\n
“But it will be a great occasion. There should be a really good turnout; people from a lot of areas of country Vic coming out of interest and the fact it’s a standalone game.”<\/p>\n
The clash at Harley Hammond Reserve will serve as the league’s season opener, with the remaining seven clubs seeing action for the first time on either Good Friday, or in the case of last year’s grand finalists Eaglehawk and Sandhurst, on Easter Saturday.<\/p>\n
Following a round one bye, Broadford plays Sandhurst in round two in another strong early test.<\/p>\n
Thompson, who will mark his own return to the BFNL following a long-time association with former BFNL affiliated club Kyneton, said his ‘frontline’ experience with the Tigers ensured the challenge of getting the club out of recess would never be under-estimated.<\/p>\n
“I had been heavily involved in Kyneton after playing VFL. I was living in Melbourne at the time, but came back and saw how much the old home club was struggling and really dug in and tried as best I could to help them through a really tough part of their history,” he said.<\/p>\n
“That experience of trying to save them and going inti recess and then seeing them come out and be involved with that process, I was very equipped with knowing what was ahead.<\/p>\n
“That was the main thing I said to the (Broadford) committee when I had a discussion with them; the enthusiasm of the people involved, I could see straight away they were rippers.<\/p>\n
“I knew it wouldn’t be short of effort and planning.”<\/p>\n
Thompson said their new rivals could expect Broadford to be young, eager and willing in their return.<\/p>\n
Importantly, the Kangaroos will have one eye on the future.<\/p>\n
“We are super-young; we’ve basically built a team out of 18 to 23-year-olds, with a few sprinkles of older, strong bodies,” he said.<\/p>\n
“I know that’s the way forward.<\/p>\n
“What we do need to do is assist these guys to develop through the year in what we know is going to be a tough environment and have them actually enjoy the season.<\/p>\n
“It’s important these guys are proud of playing div one footy, really enjoy the season and be on board with what we are doing to build the club.<\/p>\n
“It’s the only way smaller local clubs survive, by looking after the young people and having them be a part of the culture and wanting to stay around.<\/p>\n
“We want to build the team up to being competitive and to do that you need that core young bunch to come through together.<\/p>\n
“From there you get a few good juniors coming through and then you can add on top of that.<\/p>\n
“Trying to recruit a team every year is not sustainable.<\/p>\n
“The excitement for us and what people should be looking out for is some of the young guys we have running around.<\/p>\n
“I know this year is going to be tough for us \u2013 there’s no getting away from it.<\/p>\n
“But we are fully planning and ready to build the club for the future.<\/p>\n
“This is a long-term plan.”<\/p>\n
The Roos will enter the season with a five-player leadership group; a captain, a vice-captain and three deputies.<\/p>\n
Those appointments were announced last night after the Bendigo Times went to print.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BROADFORD coach Nathan Thompson says he is under no illusion as to the challenge facing his young Kangaroos side in their BFNL debut against South Bendigo this Saturday. But he believes the fight shown and effort that has gone into getting the club back off the canvas after two years in recess will hold them […]<\/p>\n