Peel Thunder’s brigade of young players is getting plenty of attention as the club looks to develop them into keys for the league side into the future.
Thunder head coach Cam Shepherd said the squad, especially players coming through the ranks, had been impressive on the pre-season training track.
“We’ve got a focus on three things and that’s conditioning, strength and football, and all the players seem to have bought in and have been really enthusiastic,” he said.
“They’re young players and they are maturing, so it’s important we put the time into them and help them develop for our footy club.
“We want to build a pathway and help them achieve the best possible results for them.”
Calvin Thorne, Noah Hura, Michael Humble and Traye Bennell were all pointed to as standouts on the training track.
All four saw league-level action in a premiership year for the Thunder in 2016, and will be looking to feature heavily in the side this coming season.
One player who did not see league action for the Thunder but will return this season is Leroy Jetta.
Jetta spent the entirety of 2016 serving a suspension as part of the Essendon supplements saga.
Coach Shepherd said he was being managed on the training track after his year away from football.
“After everything Leroy’s been through we’re just trying to manage his workload and help him get back into his footy,” he said.
Jetta led Peel’s goal-kicking tally in 2015, and will be a vital part of the side if he can return to that level of form.
Names like Rory O’Brien and Gerald Ugle will return to the side, while the inevitable injection of Fremantle Dockers talent will be known by round one.