By ADEM SARICAOGLU
NEW Rockbank coach Leigh Sporle wants to change the culture of the Rams this season.
The Riddell District Football League battlers could only manage three wins in 2012, but will be hoping a fresh voice in the huddle and a swag of new recruits can do the trick and get the club up the ladder in 2013.
However Sporle knows his plan is not an overnight fix.
“What we’re aiming to do is change the club culture first and foremost, and obviously improve on the win board,” he explained.
“But we probably need to change the way that we do things.
“I think it’s about giving some of the new guys some tools to get them to be able to fit into the side – they’re probably some of the key components of what we’re trying to do so far.”
The big signing of the summer was former Northern Territory Thunder player Shaun Wilson, while Sporle promises there is a strong chance of other big names putting pen to paper within coming weeks.
“He’s a running type player with very good skills,” Sporle said of Wilson.“We’ve seen him in the practice matches and the way he’s applied himself has been fantastic for the boys and for the club.”
Others who have signed include Matt Reiffel, Damian Niki and Mark Stevens, all of whom left Essendon District Football League club Moonee Valley over the summer months.
“We’ve definitely picked up some players and hope that we can improve once we fit in and gel together,” Sporle said.
However with so many new faces around the club, Sporle, who will take the field himself this season, isn’t expecting any early season miracles.
“I’d like to think that we could make the finals, but I’m a realist as well,’ he said.
“We’ve picked up some new players and the club and the players need to gel together for that to occur.
“As a new coach I’m really looking at everybody as a new player.
“I haven’t seen about 80 to 90 per cent of these guys play football so it’s going to be for me just having a look during the practice games and seeing what fits where.
“I’d like to think after the half way mark of the year that we’d have a game plan and everything implemented, and that we’ve got our structures sorted.”
The Rams will open their campaign against local rival Melton Central on 13 April.
