Last year saw the re-emergence of the Burnie Football Club – and little did we know at the time it would prove to be the ideal launching pad into the exciting new State League. Our developing kids had a healthy dose of men’s finals football, and seasoned players are rejuvenated at the thought of competing against the best from across the state every week.

Pre-season training has really ramped up since re-commencing in January. Three tough nights a week with numbers in the 60’s is outstanding. Many are also doing extra sessions to give themselves every chance of playing senior footy. The real upside of such numbers is its driving internal competition to the level it needs to be for us to be serious challengers.

Our recruiting continues to net a mixture of proven and young talent. Five time Best & Fairest winner Matthew Stephenson joins us from Latrobe, which has brought a grin to Brad Davis’s face. Perennial finals player for Devonport and Ulverstone Darren Banham comes across as do Wynyard trio Nick Walters (brother of Harry), Braden White and Billy Joe Jackson. Another Wynyard boy, Mariner and Tassie Devils listed player Zane Murphy is also a great acquisition. All 5 are in great nick and we look forward to getting some real value from them.

Our coaching panel has gone to another level with the appointments of long time Devonport and NTFL representative coach Dale Perry as Chairman of Selectors, and former player and Ulverstone and Penguin coach Brent Plant returning as an assistant coach. Mark Fagan will continue as Bench/Assistant coach, Clinton Brown has moved to Development Coach, with Brett Holohan (reserves), and Andrew McLaren (U/19) rounding out the group.

Few clubs in the State could boast such a well credentialed coaching structure, which will give me and the player’s real confidence when the whips start cracking in the coming months.

In my first article last year I mentioned 2008 was about recapturing a winner’s mindset and attitudes, and if that happened results would flow. This year is about building on and entrenching that culture deep into every facet of the club.

Bring on round one - the Northern Bombers at Aurora Stadium!