SOME INFORMATION COURTESY OF PORT MACQUARIE NEWS
The Magpies will be keen to atone for an inconsistent year with another challenge for the flag.
Not a lot has been heard from down Port Macquarie way in terms of arrivals, but with Paul Sheldon running the administration, the first grade side is sure to be more than competitive again. Word is up to six new experienced players will line up in Round 1.
Tim Donohue returns to the competition (after work commitments) to coach the side in 2009. Donohue, 27, is a feisty on-baller who has played in the strong Golden Rivers League (with Hay), and also with Byron Bay and a year in Adelaide club football.
He will share the first-grade duties with club stalwart and life member, Scott Payne.
Payne will bring experience with an impressive resume as a coach, 200-game player and six-time North Coast interleague representative.
The focus will be on discipline and skill disposal.
This will look to reduce the inconsistency the side had last year. They defeated Grand Finalists, North Coffs in arguably their best win of the year away from home, but got beaten soundly by the Swans on a couple of occasions.
Their Stuart Park home wasn't the fortress it was as it has been since their introduction into the competition.
Question marks will be raised about the side's ability to regain their status as competition heavyweights with the key departures of Matthew Newton, Dan Blysma and Jarrod Brian.
This trio were in arguably their five top players last season, with Brian a key man in the ruck and Newton being the talisman down forward.
These positions will need to be filled. Jesse Schmidt has the potential to take over down forward, as is capable of much better now, given the youngster's skill level.
Matthew Lill is a key cog in the midfield. Matt Gallagher and Donohue will be the others Port will look to win the ball.
The last word is left with Payne.
"If I can sum up what we're looking for in 2009 in one word, it would be dedication," Payne said.
"I really want to see a dedication from the players that pull on the Magpies jumper at training where they'll be expected to put in the effort, and dedication to their team mates on and off the field."
"While we won the senior grand final in 2007 under Matt Newton, the reserve graders have put together six premierships in a row and there is an enjoyment about what they do as a playing unit and I want firsts to create their own culture of sacrifice and dedication to their mates and they'll reap the same rewards."ÃÂ
The side hosts Nambucca Valley in the first round.
Last Modified on 11/04/2009 09:44