CHASING back-to-back senior footy premierships is something Mount Pleasant has done many times in Bendigo Bank Heathcote District FNL history.<\/p>\n
The Blues build-up for another back-to-back quest and a 21st premiership started last Monday at Spring Gully Oval.<\/p>\n
The man who led the club to its most recent back-to-back flag wins in 2005 and 2006, Cam Carter is back as senior coach.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s been significant change for the Toolleen-based club since the latest grand final win against Heathcote.<\/p>\n
The Blues go into 2024 without gun players Adam Baird, Ben Weightman and William Wallace.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdam and Ben are not just brilliant players, but also premiership coaches,\u201d Carter said.<\/p>\n
One of the competition\u2019s best defenders, Wallace has signed with Sandhurst.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have kept about 80 per cent of the premiership-winning team,\u201d Carter said of a squad which fought from an elimination final to claim the cup.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of them are in their early 20s and their best footy is yet to be played.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bailey and Fletcher White, Riley McNamara and Mitch Rovers are among those Carter believes can have a greater impact next year.<\/p>\n
Caelan Smith kicked four goals in the grand final and will play a crucial role in the forward 50-metre arc.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s also the experience of top ruckman and captain Chris Down, and Bryce Hinneberg in defence.<\/p>\n
The Blues have also shown strong depth in recent seasons as the reserves won the premiership in 2022 and were top three last season.<\/p>\n
Mount Plesant\u2019s pre-season will involve Monday and Wednesday sessions in a three-week block before the Christmas-New Year break.<\/p>\n
\u201cA big focus will be on skills work,\u201d said Carter. \u201cI have trust in the players to be doing a lot of running, individually or in small groups.\u201d<\/p>\n
For the Blues it\u2019s not just about building fitness and improving skills, but also their mindset.<\/p>\n
\u201cA challenge is going from hunter to hunted,\u201d said Carter who has grasped the opportunity to return to coaching,\u201d said Carter.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
CHASING back-to-back senior footy premierships is something Mount Pleasant has done many times in Bendigo Bank Heathcote District FNL history. The Blues build-up for another back-to-back quest and a 21st premiership started last Monday at Spring Gully Oval. The man who led the club to its most recent back-to-back flag wins in 2005 and 2006, […]<\/p>\n