The Bombers are looking up in 2013.
After a disappointing 2012, the Burleigh Bombers are ready for a fresh start in the Allied Pickfords Cup.
And the Gold Coast club is leaving no stone unturned in its bid for a push up the SEQAFL ladder in 2013, new senior coach Shane Williams said.
Williams was the club’s reserves coach for the last two years and leads an all-new coaching panel at the Bombers this season.
The new faces are bringing plenty of change to the club’s playing style, chasing some bigger bodies to bulk up the Bombers line up this season.
A swag of interstate recruits is headed by dual premiership player with the Albury Tigers, key defender Jay Koehler.
On the flip side, the club only lost one player after their 2012 season, with Zach Tshurin heading down the road to Southport.
Williams said the changes were already improving morale around the club ahead of the start of the season in 2013.
“The mood and the hype around the place have been unbelievable,” Williams said.
“People are saying it’s the best they’ve seen in it in many a year. We’re pretty confident we’ve been able to swing things around and get things on a positive note.”
With the progression of a number of younger players eager to push for senior selection after playing in reserves last year has led to a renewed enthusiasm through the playing group, Williams said.
“I think when you’ve had a coach anywhere for a period of time, players tend to think they get a bit stereotyped and when they have a fresh coaching staff, they get fresh opportunities to prove themselves,” he said.
“We’ve got a range of kids in the 19-21 mark that we would we’ve challenged them and we would expect them to step up.”
Williams said he was confident that the side would be able to remove themselves from the bottom end of the table this season.
“It’s a big statement to say you’re going to come from bottom. But we’ve set ourselves plans and goals and we’re confident we can be competitive.”
Burleigh kicks off its 2013 campaign against Coolangatta Tweed on April 20.
For the full fixture, click here.
