Narre Warren FNC – 2022 Season Preview

Despite the departure of players over the off-season, strong numbers attending for pre-season training sees Narre Warren Football Netball Club in a great position to once again challenge for premierships across football and netball in season 2022.

The Magpies commenced its pre-season training program early, with many players across the club keen to start up for another tilt at premiership success early.

Speaking ahead of a new year of football and netball, club president Stuart Stephenson spoke highly of the Magpies excitement leading into a new season.

“Everyone is very keen to get back into it and we are looking forward to having a full season of football and netball,” he said.

“There is growing excitement leading into the new season that we will be able to complete a full season, unlike the last two.”

“Over the last few weeks, we have been getting more of our players back which has contributed to the strong training numbers we’ve seen this pre-season.”

The club will field four football teams in 2022, with seniors, reserves, under 19’s and veterans, where the numbers have been especially good.

“Our over 35’s numbers are the best they have ever been,” Stephenson said.

“Adding to this is the likelihood of more teams joining the division, so this is a competition we are really looking forward and are happy to be a part of it.”

“It also looks like we will have a lot of competitors for the Under 19’s competition, so we appreciate the work of Outer East Football Netball to facilitate this as we place a lot of emphasis on this competition in terms of the development of players and we see this as a real positive in a competition sense.”

The Magpies will retain the same leadership group from last season with reigning best & fairest winner Trent Cody, Kurt Mutimer and Jake Richardson to be some of the key figureheads in this unit.

Jarrod Smith, a former onballer from Doveton, is a handy pickup for the club while young guns Will Howe and Harry Brain are expected to play regular senior football.

All coaches from within the football department will retain their positions from last year, headed up by Shane Dwyer in the senior role.

However, the biggest coaching appointment over the off-season sees Erin Bell step into the A grade netball role.

Having already played in the A Grade team of 2021, Bell will utilise the experience from her elite playing days at national level to maintain success at Narre Warren, while retaining her on court presence.

Nine netball teams will take the court in season 2022, however, the Magpies will not be fielding a second 13 & Under team this season due to a lack of new players coming through.

Eager for the season to commence, following a pre-season training campaign which he describes as being the longest he has ever been a part of, Stephenson believes all teams across the club are in a good position to play to the best of their ability and to be competitive at all times.

“We aim to win the premiership every year but winning enough games to make the finals is a starting point,” he said.