“Justin (Sherman, ex-AFL player) has been fantastic. He’s been very professional, which is what we needed – a bit of guidance and professionalism.”
– Wayne Milburn, president
Across its football and netball sides, Romsey is striving to reach new levels in 2023.
The Redbacks’ senior footballers finished fourth on the ladder last year but were sent packing in the first week of the finals, while the A Grade netball side failed to win a game.
Club president Wayne Milburn said both sides had their eyes set on improvement this year, with the footballers targeting a top-three finish.
“We hope to be in the top three for sure. That’s our aim, and we’re not going to try to hide from it,” he said.
“We’ve picked up maybe four or five key players that we thought would fit in well with what we’re trying to do. We’ve got a few local kids who played their junior footy at Romsey back in our senior list.
“We’re trying to strengthen our list right across the board in the seniors and reserves for a bit of depth, which is something we’ve lacked for the last few years.”
Key defender Michael Tinkler has departed for Wallan, but the Redbacks have otherwise retained the bulk of their 2022 playing list.
To that core they have added the likes of Sam Wilson, an 18-year-old former junior player at the club who returns after a stint at Gisborne and the Calder Cannons, along with former Gisborne under 18 captain Darcy Lockens.
Also on board will be the likes of versatile big man Jaxson Kinnear, recruited from Kilmore, Billy Goodwin from Glenroy, Jack Slavich from Coburg Districts, and Gavin Cathie from Craigieburn.
Milburn said new coach Justin Sherman – a former Brisbane Lions and Western Bulldogs AFL player – had given the Redbacks a huge boost since signing on last year.
“It’s been a great investment so far. They’ve been training since November and averaging about 45 a night at training,” he said.
“Justin has been fantastic. He’s been very professional, which is what we needed – a bit of guidance and professionalism.”
Netball
On the netball court Romsey supporters should notice many familiar faces, although some they may not have seen for a few years.
Former A Grade premiership coach Lena Way has returned to the helm, recruiting several former players including captain Cayley Blair, along with Sally Mitchell, Chelsea Ross and Kendra Vann.
Young gun Emily Miles will step from the under 15s straight into the A Grade side, while players like Christie Brinkhuis and Taleisha Snell will continue from last year’s side.
Way said the goal of this season was to restore Romsey’s on-court competitiveness after a disappointing season across all grades last year.
“I’m looking at this year as a rebuild for Romsey. Obviously we haven’t been competitive for a number of years across the grades, and my aim for this year is that we are competitive and are represented in finals,” she said.
“If we can get one team into the finals across all the grades, I’d be happy with that.
“It’s a work in progress. This is our building year; next year, look out.”
Way said the inclusion of so many experienced former premiership players would give the Redbacks a big boost.
“Netball is like most sports – you can’t buy experience,” she said.
“I think it’s going to complement the younger players to have a mix of fresh talent and experience.
“The decision making from our older players is so on point, and that only comes with years and years of experience. Whatever they give away in physicality, they more than make up for in game smarts.”
Way said Romsey was still recruiting netballers for the 2023 season, and that anyone interested could contact the club.
CONTINUE READING THE 2023 LOCAL FOOTBALL & NETBALL SEASON PREVIEW
