BARWON Heads co-coach Mitch Herbison says adding some fresh faces at the club is helping keep motivation levels high for the two-time reigning premier.
The Seagulls, who shocked Torquay in last year’s decider, appear to have further strengthened their list, with the ‘ins’ outweighing the ‘outs’ ahead of the 2023 season.
With no football played in 2020 and the 2021 season cut short, Barwon Heads is chasing a unique hat-trick of flags, having snapped a 26-year premiership drought in 2019 during Herbison’s first stint in the coaching role.
“Given the separation from the 2019 to the 2022 premierships, there was a fair bit of changeover (of players),” he said.
“And adding a fair few new guys this year keeps things fresh, and guys are really hungry to do well.
“Hopefully, we can have a really good year and a successful one.”
Barwon Heads started its practice match schedule with a win over Western Region club Spotswood in what Herbison described as a “scrappy” contest.
Newcomers Ryley Stuhldreier (Bacchus Marsh), Charlie Perks (Ballarat Swans) and Tom Swift (Uni Blacks) all made their first appearances for the Seagulls.
While Luke Davis pulled on a Barwon Heads jumper for the first time in a decade following his return from South Barwon.
“He’ll continue to get better and better after a pretty strong pre-season,” Herbison said.
“He was up against a quality ruckman, and they had a really good contest.
“He’ll keep improving and, hopefully, have a really big year for us.”
Herbison didn’t play; however, he will be right for the Seagulls’ intraclub on March 18 and the practice match against Altona on March 25.
“It was just a bit of management,” he said.
“It gave me a bit of a look from the sidelines; to get that perspective.
“I’ll be right for the next two practice matches and hopefully be right to go for Round 1.”
Barwon Heads begins its season against Drysdale at Mortimer Oval on April 1.
Twitter: @krockfootball
