We have come a long way in my time at the Club and it is a credit to everyone who has been involved with the Mt Lilydale since its near demise back in 2005. Since then both on and off the field the Club has evolved considerably, a successful 2010 season now sees the club for the 2nd time in its short history promoted to D3. 

We finished the 2010 season moving in the right direction and it’s equally important that we continue building on this momentum and not rest until the Club is successful in its quest for its 2nd premiership. As a Club that has played finals in 4 of the past 5 seasons there’s every reason to believe that we can play finals in 2011 and I believe the Premiership window remains wide open.

59 players have attended Pre-season training to date but like all other clubs not on the one night. At training the key focus has been placed on skill, conditioning and game day structure. We have many new faces join the club, many faces who have come back to the club after a year or two AWOL (including past captains/vice captains) and with minimal departures from the 2010 playing list. But to ensure that we have added depth to our playing stocks we still need more numbers to commit to the season ahead. Training every Tuesday & Thursday starting 6.30pm sharp, you’re required to bring boots and runners to every session.

We have seen the retirement of a number of players (or have we?) and in 2011 our average age of the playing group will be 24. You only need to look through our list to see young exciting talent coming through the ranks and aside from our established playing group last season we saw tremendous improvement in many of this young talent. 

Our 1st practice match will be on Sunday 20 March against Swinburne away, on Saturday 26 March away to Alexandra (weekend trip) and our final hit out on Saturday 2 April at home (intra-club).

Then the big one, the season opener at home against Ivanhoe on April 9. We all know how important this game is, we have all talked about it. But playing at home does not give us a failsafe advantage; we must continue the hard work on the track and prepare ourselves accordingly.

2011 will be the greatest opportunity for the Club moving forward while undoubtedly being the greatest challenge to everyone involved. It is amazing to see how far we have come but we still have a long road to travel.

Best of luck to all,
Greg

David Holloway - Assistant Coach

Juha Pulkka - Reserves Coach

Mt Lilydale OCFC Club Coaches

Your Coaches for the 2011 season is as follows: