By RUSSELL BENNETT
PAUL Alger is under no illusion. The Catani coach, who has returned to Taplins Road fresh off a premiership-winning stint with Buln Buln, knows full well the massive task ahead of the Blues this season.
They only won one game in a brutally tough EDFL West last year – finishing last, four games in arrears of Lang Lang with a percentage of just 48.41.
But the only way to go from here is up, and the Blues couldn’t have anyone better at the helm than Alger, who took them to back-to-back premierships in 2004 and 2005.
All up, he has won five flags – with Nyora in 1993, Korumburra in 1997, Catani in ’04 and ’05, and Buln Buln last year.
Alger is one of the most celebrated players in Gippsland football – with three Alf Walton Medals (for the best and fairest player in the EDFL) and a Mid-Gippsland League best and fairest award.
But the Blues’ journey going forward extends far beyond his return, and he’d be the first to say that.
For him, it’s all about 100 per cent effort. What the win-loss column will look like this year for the Blues is up for debate, but what isn’t is the effort he demands from his players.
“One thing that won’t be compromised is effort – that’s non-negotiable,” he said.
“The supporters aren’t stupid – they can see if you’re not giving it everything.
“If you’re having a crack and you don’t win, sobeit, but we’re trying to develop a real enthusiasm around the club.
“When we won those flags in 2004 and 2005 we had some good, young local kids like Owen (Fitzpatrick) coming up through the ranks and his brother Shane was playing really good footy, and the McFarlane boys too.
“When you combine the likes of them with some of their mates it was a real snowball effect (that led to success).”
Alger was originally going to take a year off from football in 2015 but answered Catani’s call with last year’s player-coach Josh Tymensen stepping back to focus on playing for the club this season.
For Alger, it was an easy return to make. He’s got life-long friends from his time at Catani, which is like his spiritual footy home.
He said Taplins Road had always been a great place to be to watch, and be involved with the Blues.
This season he wants his side to play an attacking style of football and with ‘plenty of spirit’.
“I see a really bright future for these boys,” he said.
“We’ve just got to get started – to start winning games and give the supporters something to cheer about again.”
Catani will have some real quality through the middle of the ground this season, with an engine room including Antonio Benevenuto, Luke Tyrrell, Nathaniel ‘Tanny’ Rodda, and Tymensen; while spearhead Owen Fitzpatrick will again be a dominant presence up forward.
Though the Blues have lost Tom Keily and Vaughn Campbell to Tarwin in the Alberton Football League, they’ve picked up Brandon Scammell (Toora) and Dylan Williams (formerly of Foster). Tyrrell has returned to the club after a stint at Gembrook-Cockatoo in the Yarra Valley Mountain District Football League.
“We’ve recruited a couple of players but we had a lot of trouble with injuries last season, so hopefully we’ll have a better run this year,” Alger said.
“With more depth this year you can cover some of those injuries you do get.”
Tyler Hobson has returned to the Blues from Garfield and Alger predicted the club’s youngsters would get plenty of chances in the seniors.
The Blues will field an under-18 team this year, after being a notable absentee from the EDFL West’s top junior competition last season due to a real lack of numbers.
“We’ve got the thirds back and there are some really good kids there,” said a bullish Alger.
“Last year a few blokes had to play reserves and then also seniors after that.
“Hopefully we’ve got the numbers there this year where there are three or four really good thirds kids we can draw on (for the senior side).”
