GCFC turned on an impressive Wednesday training session this morning, their last full hit out before the club’s debut VFL match against Port Melbourne on Saturday afternoon.
From the sidelines the squad gave the impression of urgency. They looked quick across the field, their skills were sharp and, with several spots in the final side still up for grabs, there was a noticeable lift in tempo - handball drills were slicker, the encouraging barks between players louder and keener.
Speaking just minutes before his first VFL selection meeting, GCFC Senior Coach Guy McKenna agreed. ‘The intensity has definitely lifted. There’s a place in the side to play for, and based on effort at training and during the build up, the side should hopefully pick itself to a degree. The boys have really been putting in.’
McKenna says this weekend’s game against Gary Ayres-coached Port Melbourne will be the perfect litmus test for his young squad.
‘Port Melbourne is a mature, physical side,’ he says. ‘With ex AFL guys like David ‘Fred’ Fanning, Adam Bentick, and Cory McGrath there’s here’s some hardened bodies and seasoned talent on their list. It’s the ideal Round One match up, really. For us it will be a real taste of what VFL will be like.’
Despite his squad’s youth, McKenna is adamant his list couldn’t be better prepared physically.
‘We’re asking a lot of our young guys, but Andrew Waller’s done well to help us get 18 and 19 year old bodies up to speed and in many cases ahead of schedule. Now it’s a question of putting those bodies in the heat of battle and getting them to not only look like mature players, but also to think like mature players.’
GCFC plays Port Melbourne at Southport AFC this Saturday at 2.00pm. GCFC Members and kids under 15 get in free.
