BURNSIDE Heights had its best year yet in 2018 but is still waiting to play in its first final at senior men’s level.
Having come into the EDFL as an expansion club in 2014 one year after East Sunbury did, some pundits believe this to be the year the Bears should finally break into the final four.
The Thunder managed to get all the way to the Strathmore Community Bank Division 2 Grand Final last year, but Bears coach Aidan Stott told essendondfl.com.au there is no set target for wins down at Tenterfield Drive.
“We don’t really have a number of wins in mind,” Stott said.
“The competition is probably the most even it has ever been, so we’re just aiming to be as competitive as possible week in, week out and we’ll see where that takes us.”
That said, making the finals is on Stott’s wish list for 2019.
“I think every team would be aiming for finals at this time of the year, so the short answer is yes,” Stott said when asked if finals was the minimum goal this season.
“But the reality is, you need a lot to go right.
“It’s a long season.”
The Bears won seven games last year and boast one of the best forwards of Division 2 in Josh Covelli.
He was joined by defender Anthony Fawcus in the 2018 Division 2 Team of the Year, but the Bears still lacked enough top-end talent to push for a finals berth.
For Stott, 2019 is about further advancing the next crop coming through.
“For us it’s all about developing the club’s youth,” he said.
“Brendan Nunn is a talented young forward looking to cement himself as a regular senior player beside big Josh, while Malcolm Henricksen and Anthony Esse are a couple of quality kids who should add plenty of pace to our senior midfield.”
The Bears’ list turnover has been minor over the summer, welcoming five key new recruits across multiple positions to replace a handful of senior regulars.
The summer has been focused on improved commitment from the playing group but for the most part, not much has changed in the way Stott is going about things heading into his fourth season.
“It’s a bit cliché, but it’s just about sticking to the process in place,” he said.
“The players have taken it upon themselves to step things up a bit this year.
“On non-training nights, most have been regularly attending Pilates classes together.”
Burnside Heights heads to Jacana next Friday night for the official EDFL season-opener.
In: Perenara Akuhata (defender, Kadina), Shane Robertson (midfielder, Melton Centrals), Sean Wade (forward, Tarneit), Chris Younger (utility, Merrigum) & Jayden Yankovski (midfielder, Essendon Doutta Stars)
Out: Ahmed Farah (Northern Saints), Zakaria Farah (Northern Saints), Aaron Azzopardi (Hillside) & Brad Kingdom (Sunshine Heights)
2019 DRAW
