Season Preview – Gembrook Cockatoo

“It’s a challenge we wanted, it’s a challenge we needed.”

Gembrook Cockatoo is ready to excite in 2021 as the Brookers take their place in Division One. 

And Club President Ross Hubbard expects the club will feel right at home in their new division. 

“We see that as where we sit and where we want to be,” he said.

“It’s a lot more professional so we’ve been putting systems into place.

“We know it’s going to be a learning process but we know we’re as good as the competition.”

Hubbard said he was “quite excited” about what his footballers, led by coach Brad Coller, could achieve this season, particularly the developing youth. 

Former Berwick star and Premiership Captain Michael Harold headlines the new recruits, as well as  Tyler Joosten and Brayden Weller.

“We spend a lot of time with our youth and they’ve developed an extra year,” Hubbard said.

“They’ve filled out more and become men. I’ve noticed that in their training and have been quite impressed.

“That, complemented by our new recruits, I can really see them holding their own.

“Our netball club is also going very well.

“Numbers have been good and we’ve recruited well. We have a new coach in Shenae Ingram and she’s been very good too.

“I know it’ll be an improved season from 2019. I’ve watched some of the netball pre-season and have been very impressed, especially with some of our new girls.”

The Brookers will be entering 2021 with a new guernsey design, one they look forward to wearing with pride.

“Moving forward, we wanted to be more professional and move with the times as we modernize the club” Hubbard said.

“We had several new designs made up for the club and in the end, it was left up to the senior football club to choose.”

The Brookers were also set to have their new facility ready to go by 2021, however, this has now been delayed.

“It will be magnificent when it’s finished, but it won’t be until next season for us,” Hubbard said.

“Our footballers have been able to train at Heatherbrae Reserve, where they and the netballers will both play their 2021 matches. We didn’t want to separate our players.”

Gembook kicks off 2021 against Seville on Saturday, April 17.