IF you thought a handful of key on-field personnel changes at Joe Brown Oval would influence Keilor coach Mick McGuane’s game plan for 2018, then you’re probably mistaken.
Last year the Blues failed to back up and reach the finals after winning it all in 2016, with injuries and unavailability to several key players de-railing their premiership defence.
But with key defender Mick Tanner (knee) and forward/midfielder Zak Wunhym (VFL) back in the fold alongside some new recruits to replace seven key departures, McGuane is backing his usual game plan to hold up in 2018.
“We won’t alter the way we play,” McGuane told essendondfl.com.au.
“We think we’ve got a fairly successful formula with the way we play our footy. We’re just looking for a healthy year, unlike last year.
“You just want to remain healthy at this time of year and give yourself a chance to get your best personnel out on the park from day one and build momentum.”
Gun midfielder Luke Cartelli and forward Jason Williams are two losses that will be hard to cover.
But having delisted Saint Nick O’Kearney re-unite with fellow former AFL player and Keilor junior Damien Cavka (another Blue hoping to return from injury) will prove more than handy for the new-look Keilor side.
McGuane says there will be no pressure on O’Kearney during his homecoming season.
“I just want him to enjoy footy, that’s all,” McGuane said.
“If he enjoys his footy then he’ll play good footy and certainly that’s the environment we’ll create.
“We’ve got no doubt about his competitiveness. He’s aware that he’s coming into a competition where he can’t have any pre-conceived ideas that he can just rock up and play and get a kick.
“Those that do that suffer, but he’s not that type of kid.”
Strathmore on Good Friday is the only 2017 finalist Keilor will face until mid-May, and the Blues will be keen to capitalise on it.
As always, McGuane won’t put a number on how many wins the club is targeting, but if pre-season intensity is any measure, then his squad is fired up to make amends for last year’s fifth-placed 10-8 finish.
“We’ve got a proud group and we measure their attitude by how they go about training and they’ve been exemplary over the summer,” he said.
Keilor will open Season 2018 at home to Strathmore in the annual Good Friday game on March 30.
Key Ins: Nick O’Kearney (utility, St Kilda), Brock McGregor (ruck, Melton), Matthew Clark (forward, Macleod), Jesse Wallin (utility, Rupertswood), Tylar Vujanic (forward, PEGS) & Jackson McMahon (utility, South Adelaide)
Key Outs: Luke Cartelli (Ocean Grove), Jason Williams (Deer Park), Guy Barbuto (retired), Leigh Burke (retired), Eamonn Ogden (Pascoe Vale), Joel Ottavi (East Point) & Jordie Grainger (Park Ridge)
First Month: Strathmore (home), Pascoe Vale (away), Essendon Doutta Stars (home) & West Coburg (away)
