Chasing tail: Shepparton Swan Christian Georgiou evades Numurkah's Will Newman.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
With only two weeks to go until the start of the district football season clubs are stocking up their canteens, packing away their cricket gear and marking out 50m arcs as clubs begin trialling new players and tactics in practice games.
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One such warm-up match occurred on Saturday at Princess Park as Shepparton Swans and Numurkah looked to blow out the cobwebs after gruelling pre-seasons.
The Swans are hoping to return to finals this year after finishing in ninth position in the Goulburn Valley League last season, while the Blues will be hoping to make a bigger dent into finals after they lost their Murray Football League elimination final against Finley.
Coach Jedd Wright said during Saturday’s game the Swans were focusing on how they transitioned from defence to attack.
“Practice matches are practice matches, but it was good to get out there and start putting into practice some of the things we are trying to improve this year,” Wright said.
“Pretty much just how we set about around the ball and how we want to transition from the backline to the forward line. Probably the same things that every club is looking to work on in their practice matches.
“And it was also good to get a look at a few of the new players we have got coming in and try to gel as a team.”
While pre-season games can pose a risk for injuries, Wright said that barring the odd corky or rolled ankle, the Swans got through the match unscathed.
He said it was a good hit-out for his side as the Swans now turn their attention to their next practice match against Tatura.
“I think we moved the ball really well,” he said.
“We are a young, fit, quick team and we are trying to adapt to having a couple of tall targets up forward and that is going to take time.
“Hopefully, we can improve on that against Tat this weekend and be ready to go round one.”
In round one of GVL Shepparton Swans are set to host Euroa, while in the MFL Numurkah will take on Rumbalara at home.
