Collingullie-Glenfield Park coach Luke Gestier is not feeling any heat as the Demons embark on the new season as premiership favourites.
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The Demons were the clear top elects from the Riverina League coaches at last week’s season launch in Wagga.
They will get a chance to showcase their credentials with an opening round grand final rematch against Leeton-Whitton at Leeton Showground.
“Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but internally we know what’s required,” Gestier said.
“If opinion mattered then we may as well drop our hat for 2018 and start with 2019. There’s still a lot of footy to be played.”
Gestier is not feeling any extra pressure as coach of the Demons.
“There’s always pressure, whether you’re on the bottom of the ladder or the top,” he said.
“We’ll let our footy do the talking.”
Collingullie-GP won’t be at full-strength for the opening round. Kal Sykes has a one-game suspension to serve from the grand final, while Tom Byrnes and Ed Perryman are unavailable.
Four players will run out for Collingullie-GP for the first time. Dusty Rogers will slot into defence, alongside fellow Henty recruit Dereck Singe. Ben Klemke will line-up in the ruck, while Tim Beckmans will play through the midfield.
Leeton-Whitton will not be at full-strength either. Brad Boots, Isaac Houghton and Coopa Steele are unavailable, while Tyh Evans is out with an ankle injury.
Gestier expects the Crows to be strong.
“Obviously beating us in the grand final, we expect them to come out full of running,” he said.
“I think they will be right up there again, they will come out swinging and we don’t expect anything less.”
Gestier enters his second season at Crossroads Oval. His first year was plagued by knee troubles as he returned from a reconstruction.
He received a ‘clean out’ in the off-season and is confident he can return to his best in 2018.
“I’m feeling pretty good. I’ve got a full pre-season in, played the three practices matches without any real dramas so I’m looking forward to getting out there,” he said.
The Demons have named two-time Jim Quinn Medallst Jayden Klemke and Nick Perryman as co-captains.
“I couldn’t really split them,” Gestier said.
“They’ll be good. They coached the 17s last year and will bring a good bit of youth and a different voice here and there.”
