COACH: Nick Knight (3rd year)
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LAST YEAR: 4th – 11-7
MORE firepower in attack is one of the key areas Colbinabbin has identified as an area of improvement following a preliminary final defeat and two first semi-final losses in the past three seasons.
“We’ve been very good defensively over the past few years and we’ve worked on that again over the summer, but to be able to kick bigger scores consistently and add more firepower to our side is an area that we can improve in,” coach Nick Knight said.
The Grasshoppers only had three players – Knight (47), Ryan Hon (38) and Damien Carmody (35) – kick more than 15 goals last year.
In comparison premier Leitchville-Gunbower had seven and runner-up North Bendigo eight.
Adding extra bite into the forward 50 this year will be recruits Elliot Bowen following more than 200 games with Rochester, Michael Battista and Chris Ford.
Ford is one of three recruits from North Old Boys-St Patrick’s, along with ex-skipper Lachlan Ezard and Chris Horsley.
The Grasshoppers have also picked up former Rochester vice-captain Mitch Bright to play off half-back and through the midfield, as well as 2015 BFNL under-18 league medallist Xavier Walsh.
Quick wrap on the Grasshoppers
ARRIVALS
Elliot Bowen, Mitch Bright, Lachlan Ezard, Chris Horsley, Chris Ford, Michael Battista, Xavier Walsh.
DEPARTURES
Darcy Booth, Mitch Booth, Cory Jacobs, Jordan Wilson.
THE BASICS
Sportsbet flag odds: $5
Player points: 43
Last flag: 2008
FIRST MONTH
R1: v Elmore (h)
R2: v Heathcote (a)
R3: Bye
R4: v L'ville-Gunbower (h)
PAST FIVE YEARS
2017: 4th - 11-7
2016: 4th - 13-5
2015: 3rd - 13-6
2014: 6th - 8-8
2013: 6th - 8-8
