COACH: Brad Comer (new)
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LAST YEAR: 3rd – 12-7
A STRONG recruiting campaign off the back of a preliminary final appearance last year has Newbridge poised to enter 2018 as one of the leading premiership fancies.
The Maroons have no departures from last year’s list and have bulked up their squad with the addition of 15 recruits.
Newbridge’s forward line has a far more dangerous look about it with the return of former skipper Sam Mildren and Rhys Ford to bolster the attack, as well as Jayden Prior.
Mildren is coming out of a two-year retirement to pull the boots on again for the Maroons, who haven’t won a premiership since 2000.
Classy midfielder Tommy Horne is also among the Maroons’ recruits. Horne, who won Castlemaine’s best and fairest in 2016, spent last year on VFL club Box Hill’s list.
“We’re really happy with how we’ve recruited. We knew we needed to get some quality in and we’ve been able to do that,” new coach Brad Comer said.
“We’ve had a really good pre-season and the guys haven’t missed a beat. To have depth in a country footy side is really important and they are all hungry for a spot in the seniors, so that’s a good sign.”
Quick wrap on the Maroons
ARRIVALS
Tommy Horne, Alex Code, Sam Mildren, David Carroll, Jordan Cavallaro, Jack Clark, Rhys Ford, Zac Heaslip, Brendan Josey, Patrick Keating, Ashley Mayo, Aidan Moore, Jarrod Parry, Jayden Prior, Tim Zabilowicz.
DEPARTURES
Nil.
THE BASICS
Sportsbet flag odds: $2
Player points: 46
Last flag: 2000
FIRST MONTH
R1: v Pyramid Hill (h)
R2: Bye
R3: v BL-Serpentine (a)
R4: v Marong (h)
PAST FIVE YEARS
2017: 3rd - 12-7
2016: 6th - 7-9
2015: 7th - 6-9-1
2014: 5th - 10-7
2013: 5th - 11-6