Leeton-Whitton coach reflects on pre-season

The Crows are working on developing their younger talents ahead of their season opener on April 21 against Collingullie-Glenfield Park. 

It comes after several senior players retired or departed from the side after last year’s drought-breaking premiership. 

“It’s a different opportunity for myself as a coach to be developing these young talents that we have here at the club,” Hodge said. 

“The ones who played in last year’s grand final have already made big improvements, so they will definitely be having an impact for us this year.”

Eight members of the Crows’ premiership team have moved on, headed by the return to Canberra of Toby Conroy, Neil Irwin, Liam Greenwell and Sean Wilkinson, along with the retirement of Ben Curley.

However, Ben Gaynor and Reece Maguire will both be making a return and donning the Crows colours once again. 

Leeton-Whitton played a trial game on the weekend against Lockhart and it gave the coach a good look at where everyone is sitting. 

“Absolutely, it’s a good chance to work on different things and see where everyone is at,” Hodge said. 

“That’s the best part of these trial games. We took over a fairly young side.”

The Crows’ pre-season got underway in November and the fitness levels are already showing, with numbers at training also good each week. 

“Everyone is really positive,” Hodge said. 

“It’s been a good pre-season for us. Everyone has been putting in the hard work, which is good to see. It’s just a matter now of putting it all into place. This year will obviously be pretty different to last year, but I’m still confident we will be up there. It’s looking good.”