ROADRUNNERS RACING TO ROUND 1

North Sunshine coach Ange Messina said what he missed most last season was the buzz of being around the playing group.

Messina says as soon as training resumed, his team were back in action and that buzz has returned. He said now that we are at the eve of the season, the Roadrunners are counting down the days until they can play.

Messina, who is yet to coach North Sunshine, after being appointed in 2019 said he approached this pre-season in two phases.

“The first phase was in November-December and was all about getting people back together again after being apart for up-to six months,” he said.

“It was about getting footballs back into the guy’s hands and a very soft re-introduction to our game plan.

“The second phase was when we returned to training in February and that had a much more traditional pre-season feel to it with the group working on our set ups, structures and getting prepared for the physical demands of the season.”

Similarly, for new Senior Women’s coach Tom Ellard, he and his playing squad approached training and the re-engagement into footy after a 12-month break with a positive mindset.

“The girls have hit pre-season with a great attitude and also an amazing mentality,” he said.

“My aim as coach coming into the pre-season was wanting to better the club and to also help the girls as much as I can, both physically and mentally.”

Ellard said players have the drive to succeed in 2021.

“(You should expect to see) a hard style of footy with lots of run and carry, but also a team that is hard to play against,” he said.

“We want other teams to fear us. The players want to chase a premiership this year.”

North Sunshine’s Senior Men’s team take on Albanvale on April 17. The Victoria University Polytechnic Senior Women’s fixture is yet to be released.