Football
18 April, 2024
Horsham Saints 2024 Season Preview
A look at Horsham Saints 2024 season in both football and netball and a message from President Scott Bond.
After showing massive improvement last year to make the preliminary finals, the Horsham Saints are aiming to go better and have recruited well with that goal in mind.
They have recruited a mixture of youth and experience with every player capable of playing an important role in the team.
Nathan Koenig has come across from Natimuk United and will strengthen their forward line.
Another strength in their forward line will be teenager Fredrick Frew from Pimpinio who has played plenty of senior football over the last two years and knows how to find the goals.
Alexander McRae, a former assistant coach has come back from Kalkee and will strengthen the backline.
Corey Morgan has come across from Minyip Murtoa and provides leadership and quality to a young midfield contingent ready to explode.
Bailey Taylor is also making waves coming across from Stawell. Looking fit and boasting a beautiful kick, he has been showing in training how well he uses the football and will play out of the backline, a new area for him.
League-leading goalkicker from 2023 Mitch Martin will have a similar role to last year and with natural improvement can take his game to the next level.
Ben Knott is excited to coach a young team that is ready to take the next step.
"We are still sort of on this upward trajectory with our age group and getting games into younger players," Knott said.
"If we can keep these young players together for several years, then we are looking healthy as a football club and can contend for a while."
When asked if they will have a similar style to last year, Martin said they will attack more but with Gary Davidson coming on board from Pimpinio, will also add a more defensive mindset to the team.
"As an experienced campaigner, Gary has a bit more of a defensive mindset, so his experience will play a vital role," Knott said.
Knott knows they need to work harder and be more consistent if they are to be up there this year knowing the league is very even this year.
"We are under no illusions about how tough the competition is this year. You have to play at your best every week," Knott said.
With a young team comes plenty of improvement and when asked who is looking good, he said the entire team can improve and also highlighted Judd Wright.
"You can put a blanket over a lot of the youngsters. Everyone has so much improvement in them," Knott said.
"A lot of them are going to put their best foot forward. Some guys last year on the fringe have been looking good and are ready to take the next step.
"Judd Wright, who has played predominantly as a forward last year and has been in and out of the team a little bit is looking good. He has good height and he is athletic so he is good on the ground and in the year."
Horsham Saints open their season with a home game against Stawell.
NETBALLERS EYE BACK TO BACK PREMIERSHIPS
In what is a scary proposition for opposing teams, the Horsham Saints senior netball team hasn't changed much at all and is in a strong place to defend their premiership from 2023.
Co-coached by Jess Cannane and Elly Barnett, they have a lot of young talent coming through the ranks such as U17 players Maddison Bethune and Cara Tippet, as well as Taya Quick coming from Natimuk.
The other big news is Jorja Clode will be able to play every game and is only growing as a player having nearly made the state team in the off-season and being named a training partner for the Bendigo Strikers Under-23 netball team.
Cannane is excited to be part of a strong group again and is looking forward to getting out there.
"It's a really exciting time only being a few days out from round one. We have been training since the end of last year and it will be nice to get back into it," Cannane said.
The Saints are the benchmark this season and Cannane is confident they can win again.
"The last couple of seasons it has been us and Horsham Demons and I don't see that changing too much," Cannane said.
"There has been movement across other decent sides so it's hard to tell who is going to be up there, so we will see how everything goes when everyone gets on the court."
When asked who is looking good and ready to take the next step this year, Cannane mentioned Maddison Bethune.
"Maddison will play an increased role in our side this season," Cannane said.
"She has plenty of exposure representing the WFNL teams and being able to play against quality under-17s has helped her netball.
"She is getting stronger in the pre-season and will be great down our defensive end."
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Scott Bond is excited for the club this year in both football and netball.
"With football, we are very pleased with the response we are getting with turnouts," Bond said.
"We have a couple of big outs this year but we have some good ins and will still be competitive and I am looking forward to what the boys can deliver.
"Ben is a good coach and it was good to see him get recognised as coach of the year last year and for us to get named club of the year, for the first time, was very pleasing as well."
"In the netball, the girls just keep delivering every year. They utilise their juniors well and have done well in recruiting some senior players as well and hopefully, they can go back-to-back."
Bond said the Saints Lotto has been huge for the club and is going from strength to strength.
"It looks after our sponsors and the club members are enthused about it and it gets a lot of buzz," Bond said.
"The guys that run it do a good job and it's reflected in the numbers we get."
In terms of junior football, with the new rules affecting most clubs, Bond is happy to help out where they can.
"Our kids are unreal. It's good to see a lot of kids go out to support district league clubs and other clubs," Bond said.
"We will continue to support other clubs when we can."