New Tolland coach Daniel Lawrence could not be happier with the buy in of players ahead of their season opener on Sunday.
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The Wolves will kick off the Pascoe Cup season with a trip west to take on Leeton United at MIA Sports Field.
There is a new look at Tolland with last year’s coach pairing of Chris Ayton and Kyle Harrison gone, while talent striker Bai Fahnbullehh has also moved on.
Lawrence has returned to the club as coach, while they have picked up Dom Ciampa, Englishman Jack Follows, Matt Baker and Aaron Harley.
Lawrence said there is a positive vibe at Tolland heading into the new season.
“It’s been awesome, there has been a great reaction from all the players,” Lawrence said.
“We’ve had anywhere between 30 and 40 at training and everyone seems really keen.
“There is anywhere between 20 to 25 players easily pushing for first grade so there is going to be pressure for spots, which is really good.”
Tolland had a couple of pre-season hit-outs, including a 6-0 loss to Budgewoi in the FFA Cup but the Wolves only took 13 away in what was a severely depleted squad.
The Wolves will be without Follows, who is back home in the United Kingdom for a few weeks, along with Henry Brind for Sunday’s trip to Leeton.
Lawrence said the trip to Leeton is a good way to start the season.
“Leeton away is a really good test to see where we’re at,” he said.
“We’re close to full-strength and hopefully we’ll go over there and give them a good shake.
“They are a young, fast-running side, similar to us, so it should be a good match up.”
Leeton United coach Mick Doolin will miss Sunday’s clash. He is away for the first few games of the season due to volunteering commitments at the Commonwealth Games.
Joe Trifogli and fellow assistant coach Frank Alampi will take over in his absence, with Joey Fondacaro to again captain Leeton’s first grade team.
“The nucleus of last year’s first grade side is still there,” Trifogli said.
“Adam Raso has decided to stay on for another season, so that’s great. That’s a big bonus for us.
“However, he’s under a bit of an injury cloud for round one, so if he passes the fitness test it’s likely he’ll start off in reserve grade this week.”
Meantime, Bernadette Blake will captain Tolland’s reserve grade men’s side this weekend against Leeton as both clubs play for the Steph Scott Perpetual Trophy.
Blake, who played with Scott, was surprised with the captaincy announcement at training on Thursday night and will wear Steph’s number on Sunday.
