Round One Preview
Thursday, 25 March 2010
INSPIRATIONAL captain Brett Kitching will be one of just four survivors in the squad from Bundaberg Toyota Spirit’s disastrous last campaign when they kick off the new Hyundai Queensland State League season against North Queensland Razorbacks at home this Saturday night.
Fellow club foundation player Shane Youngberry, tough competitor Elliot Causer and young gun Arian Dubroy also remain on their 15-player roster which has been bolstered by the returns of 2008 stars Laurie Stephenson, Lucas Read, Aaron Bakker and Tom Kimber.
The list has been significantly strengthened by the signing of another of Bundaberg’s best over many years, Robert Thatcher, whose distinguished career include years of excellence for Bundy Waves in the former XXXX Premier League.
Former Queensland junior representative goal-keeper Ben Heidenreich has returned home at the age of 27 and is vying for the custodian’s position with fellow recruit, 18-year-old Jason McEwan, a State Schools Open team member last year.
Rising stars Corey Haack, John “Jack’’ Brillante and Mathew Mills have been signed from the Archem Premier League, while Noosa resident Kevin Clarke is travelling the round trip of 500km in search of a permanent place in the League.
Back-up at this stage will come from the club’s new Youth League team and it includes two players who were integral parts of the State League outfit in 2009, Jack Hambrecht and Mitch Broom, while coach Richard Mitchell said two others, John Cullen and Luke Leggett, both played very well in their 2-0 trial loss to Capricorn Cougars two weeks ago, and are among a group who will be ready, willing and able to step up to the Senior plate when required.
Mitchell described Kitching as a “great ambassador for the game on and off the field’’ and the skipper’s spirits are also high with some vastly experienced campaigners around him and a new direction within the club under new President David Hillier.
With the Youth side having the bye this weekend, some of their players will fill any voids created if any of the Seniors are ruled out due to injury or illness, and there are at least three players battling to be fit.
“It is a big step up from under-19 to the Senior side and hopefully we can bring them on gradually but having the Youth team is the whole essence of preparing them for the next step, and if someone in the under-19’s is playing well enough, we will pick them,’’ Mitchell said.
Mitchell said the squad contains a “good blend of youth and experience’’ but that the “big secret is to gel it all together and play decent football’’.
He was “quite pleased with our shape, commitment and patterns’’ against the Cougars despite conceding the better team won on the night, and despite acknowledging it will be tough against the Razorbacks, who narrowly missed the finals last season, finishing fifth, he has drawn confidence from the Spirit’s brave 2-1 loss to them in their last home clash on Anzac Day last year.
