FAST FACTS
COACH: WALLY ARMSTRONG 2022 FINISH: SEVENTH 2022 BEST-AND-FAIREST: JACK EXELL 2022: LEADING GOAL-KICKER: JACK EXELL (110) HOME GROUND: VIOLET TOWN RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: TOWNERS
PLAYER CHANGES
Ins: Thomas Loomes, Jordan Lampi, Pras Sayakhot, Brandon Ebert
Outs: Jack Exell (Bendigo Football League), Josh Mellington, Nick Brazil, Fintan Brazil (Benalla), Fletcher Paul (Murchison-Toolamba), Lachlan Baldwin, Nick Abley (interstate)
It is no secret that the off-season has been fraught with difficulty at Violet Town.
After being bundled out in the the first week of the finals series, the Towners were unable to keep their stars on board in 2022, with the likes of Jack Exell, Josh Mellington, Nick Brazil and Fintan Brazil all finding new homes over summer.
So dire is the situation at Violet Town that in February the club issued a Save Our Souls plea on social media, facing the very real possibility of being without a reserves side in 2023.
For incoming senior coach Wally Armstrong, it will without doubt be a baptism of fire, as he looks to put a competitive side on the park every week and blood the club’s youth.
“I’ve had to come to terms with very few numbers on the track, but that’s something I’ve learned to deal with over the pre-season,” Armstrong said.
“At the moment we are just focused on building from the defence forward and recruiting in a way that will make us more sustainable.
“We will certainly be an unknown until we play a few games, and there will be a fair bit to adjust to.”
It is not all doom and gloom for the Towners however, with the situation set to give youngsters such as Nathan Abley, Thomas Bardic and James Herring set for more prevalent roles.
“Watching the youngsters get more of a crack is going to be really exciting,” Armstrong said.
“Whether that will translate to wins I’m not sure, but these guys are the future of our club, so the goal is to give them as much opportunity as possible.”