Castlemaine Football Netball Club hasn't had much to cheer about on the field this year, but the sight of future Magpies stars having fun with Angus Monfries at Camp Reserve on Tuesday was enough to bring a smile to even the most battle worn fan.
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For the first time the Magpies hosted a school holiday clinic this week and young footy fans took the opportunity to further their skills and have fun with the former Essendon and Port Adelaide forward.
"I'm enjoying being here as part of the school holiday program and seeing the kids really enjoying their footy and having a good time outside of school,'' Monfries said.
"It's a lot of fun and it's good for the club."
Monfries first season with the Magpies has been a tough one, but he's adamant the club's on-field fortunes can be turned around.
"This season hasn't panned out the way we wanted, but to be part of the Bendigo league has been great,'' Monfries said.
"Castlemaine has been really accommodating to me and I've really enjoyed my time with the club.
"I've tried to help out as much as I can. I've played in the backline a bit to help set things up back there.
"Getting some games into young guys and increasing their development is the key for the club going forward.
"We've had a number of injuries and guys haven't been able to get on the park, but hopefully in the latter part of the season we can take some steps to build on for next year.
"You look at young kids like Kyle Jones and Will Moran, who played in the under-18 inter-league game, they have some real talent.
"Kyle has been out with injury and Will has missed some games as well. We need to get them back into the senior side and get more games into them because they will become good senior players."
Monfries, 32, said his body had held together well and he had no plans to hang up his boots at the end of the season.
"Had the week off with the bye last week which was nice and I had an enforced week off the week before that (suspended) which was disappointing,'' Monfries said.
"I hope to play on next season. The body has been pretty good, touch wood, if it can hang on for the rest of year I can't see why I wouldn't play again."
Monfries and the Magpies return to action this Saturday with a road trip to Kyneton.
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