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By: Jessie Hare
Twitter: @JessieHaree
A tough year in 2017 has lead the Demons looking for a new pathway to finals in 2018.
This year Montrose will be guided by new senior coach, Peter Bastinac, who joins the club after coaching Rowville in the past four years.
The Demons finished up the 2017 season 11th on the Division 1 ladder with just three wins.
2018 leadership group with senior coach, Peter Bastinac. PICTURE: Montrose Football Netball Club Facebook page.
With the competition restructure coming into effect in 2019, it is crucial for the club to finish at the higher end of the ladder this season.
Montrose director of football operations Greg Gardoll knows the club’s main goal is to finish a lot stronger.
“The club’s main goal this year is to stabilise a position up the ladder, to move up the ladder and keep going in the right direction,” he said.
“Last year wasn’t a good year finishing where we finished, so our main goal is to move up the ladder and possibly get a finals game in.”
Bastinac, who has taken over from Adam Pattison, brings a wealth of senior coaching experience which has made for a smooth transition into his new role.
“He’s brought a steady culture to the club and he is doing a good job,” Gardoll said.
After the disappointing finish last year, the Demons have had some notable departures from the club.
Ex-NEAFL player Matt Little heads to Rowville, while Gary Conyers has joined Division 3 club, Heathmont.
Meanwhile, Jack Garthwaite will play in the AFL Yarra Ranges competition, former Richmond player Kelvin Moore is on his way to the VAFA, while David McArdle joins Mitcham and Shaun McMillan has found a new home at reigning Division 3 premier, Park Orchards.
“The playing group we had last year probably got to a point where it needed to be moving forward, with a different game plan. It can take a bit to get up and going again,” Gardoll said.
“With the players that have left, yeah the club was disappointed with some of the departures but at the end of the day we are very happy with the players that have come into the club.”
Looking towards the recruitment side of the off season, Montrose welcomes Jordan Bastinac along with James Wilsen from Rowville.
Wilsen brings VFL experience, having previously played for the Frankston Dolphins, Box Hill Hawks and Port Melbourne.
Nicholas Dinham has joined the club from the Adelaide Football League after playing 18 senior games for Rostrevor OC last year, along with a number of senior and reserve games for SANFL club North Adelaide from 2013-2016.
The Demons have also welcomed back Sam Goodman, who returns after a year at Ferntree Gully.
Sam Goodman back at the Demons for 2018. PICTURE: Montrose Football Netball Club Facebook page.
Gardoll is hopeful that with the new players joining the club, the younger players coming through and a strong pre-season, the combination will put the Demons in good position come September.
“We are a proud club – we’ve recruited up to eight or nine players into the club (and) some of our younger players had a good pre-season,” he said.
“At this stage, we’re willing to chance some of the younger players to stand up now.”
With the start of the 2018 season not far away, Montrose will be looking to be a force in Division 1 and to stabilise itself within the competition.
“We want to put ourselves in a good stronghold and be a strong club in the premier league moving forward,” Gardoll said.
Montrose will open its season travelling away to play Knox at Knox Gardens Reserve on April 7.