Football
17 April, 2024
Southern Mallee Thunder 2024 Season Preview
A look at the Thunder's 2024 season in both football and netball and a message from President Lucas Edelsten.
The Southern Mallee Thunder enter the 2024 season as a bit of an unknown quantity following the amalgamation between Jeparit Rainbow Storm and Southern Mallee Giants.
Some of the returning players from the Giants are Rupert Sangster, Jack Garvey, Billy Lloyd, Angus McSweyn and Liam Nelson and from the Thunder, Nick Yarran, Tommy Clarke, Trent Burgoyne, Xavier Oakley, Peter Weir.
In his second year as coach, having coached the Giants last year, Kieran Delahunty has been impressed with some of the new faces he has seen.
He has noticed some of the younger players such as Xavier Oakley, Tom Schumann, Jakob Cocks and Matthew Thomas and is impressed by what they have shown on the training track in the pre-season.
"Xavier Oakley has stood out on the track. He has had a big pre-season this year," Delahunty said.
"He is a strong runner and is impressive with pace and endurance and is certainly capable of taking his game to the next level this season."
Delahunty also said that some of the younger ones are also impressing on the track.
"Will Fisher and Lenny Weir as teenagers are impressing during the pre-season and depending on what the rules are with exemptions, may find some senior football this year," Delahunty said.
The Thunder will adopt a similar game style to the Giants last season, but will tweak it with the new additions.
"Our game style last year had us in pretty good stead. We had a solid backline and there is room for improvement," Delahunty said.
"Having lost Josh Webster and Josh Bromley Lynch up forward, we will adapt with Peter Weir there as well as Nick Yarran and Tom Clarke adding pace.
"The ball movement we will just aim to do the same thing. Hopefully, we can win a few stoppages and clearances and give them the best chance fo one-on-ones and having shots on goal."
There will be experimentation in the early stages, and Delahunty is eyeing finals.
"Finals is definitely what we are aiming for, but we just need to build those relationships early and have been doing that well in pre-season games," Delahunty said.
"We are still getting to know each other, but with the talent we have at the club, things are exciting."
NETBALLERS EXCITED FOR NEW SEASON
The Thunder netballers are gearing up for a massive season with a lot of players sticking around from both teams last year as well as a few recruits.
The A-Grade is coached by Jodie Hayes, a Heather Hatcher Medalist and Steph Thomson, a premiership player and 2023 WFNL goal attack of the year.
Jaimee O'Reilly returns after playing for the Giants since 2022. She is also coaching the C Grade side. Mackenzie Bellinger is also returning from the Giants.
Jaida Baldwin-Monk is another Giant who is keen to stay. The defender was the joint runner-up in the best and fairest for the Giants B Grade side last year.
Alongside returning players come recruits, some of whom will be familiar to the former Storm side of the club.
Gabbi Rule has moved over from Birchip-Watchem in the NCNL and Connie Rule has signed and is a defender but is versatile and can play any position on the wing.
Caitlin Douglas will be traveling from Adelaide every week to play for the Thunder. Douglas is a two-time premiership player and can play at both ends of the court as a GD or GA.
Abby White is also returning after a stint in Ballarat in 2023.
Alongside familiar faces come new faces highlighted by Sydney Thorogood.
Thorogood joins the club from Nhill in a big coup for the Thunder. She can play both ends, either as a GK or GS.
Jade Cranage has also signed and will provide flair on the wing. She is looking getting to back into netball having not played for a few years.
Steph Thomson is pleased with the versatility they have this year.
"We are more versatile and have taller players which is lovely. It was a bit of a struggle towards the end of last year, but following the merger, everything is looking really good. There is a good vibe" Thomson said.
"We have players that can play both ends and each week will be different with the matchups. Sydney and Abby are tall and Caitlin can shoot and defend."
Thomson said they want to play the best netball they can.
"We want to have success. Everyone aims for finals and it would be great to play finals," Thomson said.
"We got there a couple of years ago and with new faces and a lot of enthusiasm around the place, I am excited to see where we can get to this year."
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Lucas Edelsten will lead the Thunder into their new era and he is excited about what the club can achieve this year as a whole.
"There is plenty of optimism getting around with the season nearly here and everyone is chomping at the bit to get out there," Edelsten said.
"There is a big following this year obviously with four towns coming together with two of the bigger clubs in the district.
"Everyone has jumped on board and the excitement is huge around the club."
The Thunder will be able to field every grade in both football and netball this year. Last year the Giants didn't have a U17 team and the Storm just had enough numbers, and neither team fielded a C-Reserve in netball.
It is yet to be clear what the rule changes regarding age limits in juniors will do to the club with most clubs finding things difficult.
Edelsten would like to thank everyone for making it a smooth transition.
"Everyone has done a good job in making this as good as it can be," Edelsten said.
"It is exciting and we are excited about what can happen this year.
"I would also like to thank the sponsors for coming on board and I hope it's a great year for the club."