TURVEY Park will give Canberra recruits Ash Harris and Mitch Ward time and space to make decisions on their football futures before making attempts to re-sign them for next year.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Centre half-forward Ward and skilful on-baller Harris were key components of the Bulldog's set-up when injuries and lockdowns permitted.
Coach Michael Mazzocchi confirmed fellow Canberra duo Shaun Allan (ruck) and Stephen Camp (on-baller) will return next season as the club looks to break into finals, and build on wins over Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes and Wagga Tigers to finish this season.
"Campy and Shaun are definitely going to come back. The two older blokes, Mitch Ward and Ash Harris, aren't sure what they're doing because they're close to retiring," Mazzocchi said.
"We'll give them time and not chase their signatures, that process will unfold over the next six months. They've both got families which is a bigger factor than their age really, and having to travel down."
Turvey Park doesn't expect to be super active with recruiting, but their plans may depend on what young players who excelled this year opt to leave town for studies.
IN OTHER NEWS
"You make a few calls to players but not being able to meet them face-to-face and show them the facilities makes it hard," Mazzocchi said.
"It's not like we're going out there to recruit in bulk numbers but we want to pick up a bit of height and we're looking around for that.
"There might be some kids that go away for uni, that's the reality with a strong junior club.
"The age group last year who went really well like Billy Glanvill, Will O'Connor and Luke Fellows, the reality is next year they could go to uni and we lose them."
Mazzocchi is approaching his second year in charge and after a slow start, the team showed signs of adjusting to his structures with two wins over top four rivals to finish the season.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark dailyadvertiser.com.au
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters