Blues brainstrust: New Tongala coach Billy Barnes (right) was coaching from the sidelines in the practice match against Stanhope. He has engaged his father-in-law Wayne Deledio (centre) in a selector’s role for the Blues this year.
Tongala will be aiming for a return to Murray league football finals on the back of a strong pre-season that will culminate with the traditional round one Good Friday match at Tongala Recreation Reserve against Nathalia.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
The Blues finished 11th on the ladder last season, with only five wins, while the Purples were knocked out in week one of the finals.
Only Tocumwal (one win) and Rumbalara (winless) were below Tongala on the ladder after the Blues had been on a COVID-19-impacted four-season rise to prominence in the competition.
New coach Billy Barnes has been busy in the off-season and has an impressive list of recruits lining up for the club.
Mackenzie Cowley returns from Mooroopna after nine games and seven goals at senior level before his season ended early and Billy McLay, who played three senior games with Kyabram last year, has also signed with the club.
The latter is fresh from a grand final commitment to Kyabram Cricket Club, which has interrupted his season.
Matt Caaia, Brodie Easton and Charlie Angley are other new names, along with Barnes’ highly-credentialed brothers-in-law — Matt and Brett Deledio.
Barnes said he was still working through with the Deledio brothers just how many games they would play.
“It will depend on personal and work commitments, Matt is doing a lot of work with the Costa family and Brett has player management and media work to consider.
“We will review it on a weekly basis,” he said, explaining that April 13 was probably the earliest fans would expect to see Brett in action.
Todd Van Roy and Nick Woods are back at Tongala, from Girgarre, along with Brayden Nevett , who had an injury-interrupted season at Leitchville-Gunbower.
The Blues will be without leading goal-kicker from last season, Makenzie Ryan, who is bound for the US on a college punting scholarship and Coby McCarthy, who has joined Mooroopna in Goulburn Valley League.
Last season’s coach Matthew Daniel could also be remaining at the club, but has off-field commitments that will cause him to miss the early part of the season.
“We also have several players who are like recruits, returning from injury. Alex Williams only played a couple of games toward the end of last year, James Ross missed a majority of last season and Bailey Cox had an ACL injury last year,’’ Barnes said.
“Jack Sinclair will also be back mid-year from an ACL.”
As for the coach himself, he played against Lockington, but had a minor knee injury at the end of the game.
Athletic teenagers James Coulson and Kyabram recruit Angus Scoble are on the Bendigo Pioneers list, but would be walk-up starts in the Blues’ senior line-up when available.
“Angus had a toe injury during the pre-season, but may be available for round one,’’ Barnes said.
“James was great against Lockington, as was Jesse Johnstone.
“He is also training with the Pioneers and will play senior football for us this year. Hudson Kellett will also be great for us.”
Former coach Jordan Souter will play out of the goalsquare.
He has put a lot of work into the pre-season.
New colours: Blake McAuliffe was playing against his former club in this practice match between Stanhope and Tongala. Mackenzie Cowley (tackling McAuliffe) was also returning to familiar ground after spending a season with Mooroopna in Goulburn Valley League.
Hot pre-season form: Tongala had the better of Stanhope in the practice match that was contested by the clubs several weeks ago. Dominic Watt was one of the stars for the Blues and is supported in this instance by captain Kyle Fitzgerald.
