By RUSSELL BENNETT
NEW Nar Nar Goon Football Club president Adrian Scott knows exactly how cut-throat the western division of the Ellinbank footy league will be in 2014.
It will contain five of last season’s six finals sides, and The Goon – with Scott at the helm – is desperate to keep up with the league leaders.
Though he remained tight-lipped about potential big-name signings when talking to the Gazette in the inner sanctum of The Goon’s Spencer Street base earlier this week, he was optimistic about securing a few prized signatures in the coming fortnight.
Perhaps one of his reasons for holding his cards close to his chest was the fact that The Goon and their local rivals – including Cora Lynn, Bunyip and Garfield – are all in the market for the same talent. It really is dog-eat-dog and Scott, 53, can’t wait to see those hotly-contested rivalries step up a notch next year.
The Goon has long been known for its tight-knit spirit and connection to the local community and Scott bleeds blue and white.
He praised predecessors Dale Evans, Garry Howe and Tess Noonan and hoped to continue on their good work.
“I’ve been involved for seven or eight years on the committee and it was just my turn to step up now,” he said.
“It’s a really exciting time – we’ve been very progressive around the club over the past 10 years.
“We’ve got new rooms, a gym, an undercover viewing area, new lights and an electronic scoreboard that have all come about in the past decade.
“I’ve been pretty lucky to step in at the right time whereas when a guy like Dale was president, it was probably a lot harder.”
Scott has served on the local Progress Association and held a leading role on the Nar Nar Goon Recreation Reserve Committee.
He thinks the venue could become a premier local sporting facility and attract top-level talent to the club.
But in the short term, he hopes to see The Goon challenge for a “top two or three” spot in the west next year.
Grant Close has returned as reserves coach and adds plenty of premiership-winning experience, and Scott said the senior side was “probably only a key position player or two away” from competing with the best at the business end of last season. With the continued improvement of some of The Goon’s brightest young talent, the future is just that – bright.
“Brendan Herman has the potential to be an outstanding footballer in this league.
“He knows the potential is there and he’s pretty keen to take his game to the next level.
“Brodie Howe is pretty exciting too – he could put it all together during a game and kick seven or eight goals.
“He’s also got that potential to take another step.”
Keep any eye on the Gazette in the coming weeks for more from Spencer Street as it happens.
