Tongala Football Club’s new coach Steve Hammond frankly admits he is not a fan of pre-season practice games but is still confident the Blues’ build-up for the start of the Murray Football League season on Saturday week will bring positive results for his team.
Hammond said the risk of players getting injuries in pre-season games was his main reason for his dislike for them.
Tongala has had just the one practice game - against Heathcote League side Lockington two weeks ago - to prepare for the new season.
‘‘We will have an intra-club game this Friday night and then we are into it the following week when we meet Echuca United in the first round,’’ Hammond said.
Hammond said there were some pleasing signs in the game against Lockington.
‘‘Bailey Waasdorp was good on his return to the club and Matt Taylor also played well at centre half forward,“ he said.
‘‘Mitch Haywood, a recruit from Tatura also showed out along with Jack Hammond, who has rejoined the club, and regular Sam Cipriani.“
