Although The Road lost arguably the best player in the competition in BJ Squire, the side's list of inclusions is impressive, and is built around a large swathe of ex-Shepparton United footballers.
“They've all come back pretty keen to touch the footies and really just be around their mates,” Sheehan said.
“Our main aim was to top up and get better. It had been a fair while since Congupna had made the finals, so we worked hard to retain as many players from that 2019 side as possible and then build on what we needed to challenge the Nathalias and Tongalas. Even though we made the prelim, we were still a fair way off Nathalia.
“Having Ben Pedretti come on board as senior assistant coach has been a real shot in the arm for the club. It has made recruiting those former United boys a lot easier through his connections with them.”
The group includes the likes of experienced midfielders Matt Di Bella and Ben Bingham, as well as younger prospects like Fraser Hicks and Sam Buxton.
“When you can bring a group of mates into a club, and even a few family members as well, it makes the group as a whole a lot stronger,” Sheehan said.
“And even though we've brought a fair few in, looking at the group train you would have thought they already had a few seasons together, everyone's getting on really well and the older boys are nurturing the younger ones well.
“We're definitely looking to play finals again, we'd love to finish in the top two, but you don't know what will happen once you're out there.
“I think our depth will be a lot stronger than it was, but as always if a few key players go down it could leave a hole.”
FAST FACTS
COACH: PETER SHEEHAN MFL PREMIERSHIPS: NONE 2019 FINISH: FOURTH (12-9) 2019 BEST-AND-FAIREST: BJ SQUIRE 2019 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: DANIEL CAMPBELL (61) GROUND: MEMORIAL PARK NICKNAME: THE ROAD
PLAYER CHANGES
IN: Matt Di Bella, Ben Bingham, Ben Pedretti, Cody Di Bella, Sam Slavich, Sam Buxton, Fraser Hicks (Shepparton United), Dustin Blake (Mooroopna), Hugo Ingham, Ash Philipps (Shepparton), Zavier Ballis (Tatura), Glenn Boyd (Woorinen), Alex Overs.
OUT: BJ Squire (Shepparton Swans), Lachie Baldwin (Violet Town).
25°C