Hammond, who has taken the senior coaching reins at the Blues, is putting faith in an injection of impressive recruits and improvement of some of the club’s younger player to keep the Blues competitive and to become a respected force in the league.
Hammond will run Tongala’s first post-Christmas training session on Sunday, February 9, at 10.30am and there are expected to be plenty of new and familiar faces attending.
Among nearly 20 recruits, Hammond has lured several stars back to the club.
Heading this list is Top End champion Cam Ilett, former AFL hardman Brock McLean, Jack Hammond, Jimmy Cullen, Daniel Maher and Bailey Waasdorp.
Hammond said two key forwards were also being pursued by the Blues and would be top additions if they decide to play with the club.
The notable losses are last year’s senior coach Billy Barnes, plus Mitch Gugliotti and Billy McLay who have returned to Kyabram.
‘‘I’m very happy where we are at the moment, particularly with our numbers,’’ he said.
‘‘We had seven training sessions prior to Christmas attended by 45 senior and reserves players and 25 juniors.
‘‘There were also 17 players on our senior list who couldn’t make it to training before Christmas who will be back from this week.’’
Hammond coached the Tongala reserves to a flag two years ago and has a wealth of coaching experience and a stellar playing career in western Victoria to draw on to make Tongala a force again in the Murray league.
Hammond has asked players to bring football boots to Sunday’s training session and be prepared to support a Tongala Cricket Club fundraiser after the session.
25°C