FROM THE COACHES DESK
After the completion of our second practice match this weekend, the players will have completed over 30 training sessions, two practice matches and an arduous Saturday morning session at Lysterfield Lake. All this in preparation for what shapes as an exciting season 2018. The preseason has been challenging and pushed many players to new limits and I have been impressed with how they have responded. I would like to thank Josh Webster for all is work with the fitness and GPS data and all the coaches for their assistance and diligence during the preseason. It was also pleasing to see very strong numbers in the Under 19’s and this is testament to the work put in my coaches Damien Sherlock and Matt Backhouse.
It was great to see all the hard work that all the players have been putting in, come to fruition on the weekend against St. Bedes. To be very competitive against a Premier A side for three quarters, holds us in good stead for the year ahead. Some of the better players on the day included Gus Patti, Dean Izon, Chris Campbell and Aidan Brand-Oliver.
The players now get their last chance to impress with a clash against reigning EFL Division 2 Premiers, Knox. We look forward to the challenge and hopefully a number of players can further enhance their case for selection in the Round 1 team for the match against University Blacks.
Ben Phibbs - Senior Coach
PRACTICE MATCHES
Practice match details for the coming weekend:
Saturday March 24th
vs Knox (EFL)
Knox Gardens Reserve
https://goo.gl/maps/K6hF3W3BVBq
Under 19's - Intraclub match 9:30am
Reserves - 12pm
Seniors - 2pm
Sunday March 25th
VAFA Women's Lightning Premiership
Keysborough Playing Fields
738 Springvale Rd
Braeside
https://goo.gl/maps/BZBfFm2TZ4B2
Match 1 vs Old Geelong, 9:30am Oval 1
Match 2 vs Marcellin, 11am Oval 3
Match 3 vs Old Camberwell, 12:30pm Oval 1
The grand final is scheduled for 2pm on Oval 2 - hopefully our girls have a successful day and enjoy their taste of competitive footy. Good luck to all involved for a fantastic experience. It would be great to see plenty of support there for them.
MATCH DAY SUPPORT ROLES
Our coaching staff are always looking to have additional support on match days, so don't be shy in offering your assistance. Senior coach Ben Phibbs is particularly interested in hearing from anyone who may be interested in doing some stats work during games, as well as someone who may be available to do some opposition analysis. Feel free to contact Ben for further details: seniorcoach@mazenodfc.com.au
PLAYER REGISTRATION
Players - have you registered yet???
http://www.mazenodfc.com.au/player-information-form
Spend 5 minutes completing the registration process for 2018 and get your subs paid. There are some early bird incentives to pay your subs - see details on the player comms page on Facebook. Well done to John Backhouse (U/19's) on winning the draw this week - John had his subs paid by the first practice match and has won a free ticket to the Gala Night at the end of the season worth $110. Still time to pay up by tomorrow for a chance to win a free ticket in the Reverse Draw. Players that have not paid by Rd 2 will not be eligible for selection!
CLUB UMPIRES - BOUNDARY & FIELD
We are on the search for a number of field umpires for our Reserves, Thirds and two Women's teams.These are paid Club roles, but the field umpires need to be registered with the VAFA. We also need boundary umpires for all grades. For further details or to register your interest, contact Ben Chamberlain on football@mazenodfc.com.au or via mobile 0413 257 747. | 
