COACH: Troy Coates (new)
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LAST YEAR: Premiers – 18-4
EXPECT the unexpected.
That’s the message from new Strathfieldsaye coach Troy Coates as the Storm heads into 2018 as the reigning premiers.
Coates joins the Storm having previously coached Kerang to four Central Murray league flags and is the replacement for Darryl Wilson.
Six of the Storm’s premiership players from last year have moved on in Harry Conway, Jake Hall, Matthew Harvey, Sam Simmons, Brad Stringer and Brad Rohde.
However, there’s an abundance of top young talent at the club on the back of winning the past three under-18 premierships, while the Storm has added several quality recruits to its list that Coates says will provide his side with versatility.
“We’ve recruited to have up to 10 guys running through our midfield,” Coates said.
“We want really good flexibility with our players… Hugh Robertson was selected at full-back in the Goulburn Valley inter-league team, but he can also play forward.
“Bryce Curnow is really strong both back and forward, Shannon Geary might go down back this year, we might play Kal Geary forward more. We want to be an unpredictable team.”
From the coach: Q&A with Troy Coates
Q: As a new coach into the competition, but with a successful background behind you at Kerang, how would you describe the way you like your teams to play.
I'd like to think we'll be an attacking team that is well structured, but gives players enough freedom to play on instinct.
I think our starting points are pretty good in terms of structures and the way we set-up.
We've done a lot of our training around structures, so hopefully, we're going to be very well drilled throughout the year.
We'll be bringing in a new gameplan, so we will look a little different, but, hopefully, not much changes in terms of the success side of things.
Quick wrap on the Storm
ARRIVALS
Troy Coates, Hugh Robertson, Jack Shanahan, Bryce Curnow, Bryce Carroll, Owen Hone, Jordan Wilson (season-ending knee injury).
DEPARTURES
Harry Conway, Jake Hall, Matthew Harvey, Alex Powell, Sam Simmons, Brad Stringer, Brad Rohde.
THE BASICS
Sportsbet flag odds: $3.50
Player points: 38
Last flag: 2017
FIRST MONTH
R1: v Eaglehawk (a)
R2: v Gisborne (h)
R3: v Kyneton (a)
R4: v Sandhurst (h)
PAST FIVE YEARS
2017: 1st - 18-4
2016: 4th - 14-6
2015: 1st - 20-0
2014: 1st - 19-1
2013: 2nd - 13-5-1
