By LIAM TWOMEY
EAST Keilor coach Steve Kolyniuk is confident his side has what it takes to make up for any players lost during the Essendon District Football League off-season.
Three of the club’s starting 22 have not returned for the new year, including full forward Michael Spooner.
Despite admitting the players who left were good footballers, Kolyniuk said the “half dozen” recruits the club had picked up meant the list was just as good as in previous seasons.
“I think we will definitely cover the loss of our full forward Michael Spooner who has moved on for some money to North Bendigo. I feel like we can cover his loss fine,” Kolyniuk said.
“I think we have got a little bit more pace into the side this year and the squad is looking good and I think we should be on a par with where we were last year.
“A big loss for us will be our captain of a couple of years ago Dean Roberts. He is going overseas but hopefully we will have him back halfway through the year. He will always give 100 per cent every week and you always know what you are going to get from him.”
When Roberts returns to the Cougars during the year, he may not necessarily be returning to the B Grade club he left prior to his travels.
The EDFL will introduce a C Grade competition half way through the season based on ladder positions after each team has played each other once.
After being on top of the ladder at many stages of the 2011 season and reaching the finals, the Cougars are confident of avoiding relegation.
“I’m just hopeful that we can play finals again and stay in second division,” Kolyniuk said.
“I think it is really important for the club. If they do go down to C Grade it would be a long road back.
“I understand this year that everyone is busting their chops to put the best possible side on the field and everyone is spending more than they have spent previously to make sure they are at least staying in division two.”
Kolyniuk is looking forward to the challenge of being in charge of East Keilor for another season and said he was enjoying his time at the club.
“The main thing with East Keilor is the people around it. I think they are really good and they don’t get a lot of recognition.”
