REAPPOINTED South Bendigo coach Brady Childs is confident the Bloods can use their positive finish to the season as a springboard into next year.
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While the Bloods ended the BFNL season with just five wins – which was one more victory than 2015 – they won their last three games against Gisborne (33 points), Castlemaine (1) and Maryborough (77).
“The club hasn’t had a lot of stability in recent years – I’m the fourth coach in three years – so to have that stability going into next season is a positive,” Childs said.
“We’ve already re-signed 19 of this year’s playing list, so we’re well advanced on where we’ve been in recent years.
“To finish the season with three wins in a row, which the club hadn’t done since 2013, was a positive, and with a really exciting young list with an average age of 22 or 23 and having played five under-18 kids this year, we think it’s an exciting time.
“We know we’re going to have to find a way to kick more goals, so we’ll be out looking for forwards.”
In making the reappointment, South Bendigo president Rick Townsend said Childs had grown into his coaching role well throughout the season.
“He has been really good for the group, so we’re looking forward to him continuing next year,” Townsend said.
The Bloods will have co-captains next year, with Kieran Strachan to join veteran Aaron Connaughton as joint skipper.
Strachan this year continued to build on his reputation as one of the emerging young guns of the BFNL, with the ruckman finishing equal fourth in the Michelsen Medal with 15 votes.
Strachan was also named the ruckman in the Bendigo Advertiser Team of the Year.
“With where we’re at as a footy club, we’re trying to really develop our younger guys, which includes leadership, so it’s a great opportunity for Strachany to co-captain with Azza,” Childs said.
“Strachany has shown a lot in that area this year with his leadership capabilities, so we look forward to him continuing to develop next year.”
The Bloods have also announced their first addition for next year, with Joel Swatton returning to the club after a year away in 2016 with university commitments.
“Joel will add a lot back to us next year… he’s stronger and fitter and ready to get back into it again,” Childs said.
Also keen to get back on the park in 2016 is Childs, who was forced to coach from the sidelines this year following a knee reconstruction.
“I’ve got the all-clear from the surgeon that everything is fine, so I’m looking forward to stepping things up and getting fit again,” Childs said.
And after missing the last seven games this year with a torn medial, Connaughton says he will be right to go from round one next season.