With our new oval fully operational, La Trobe Men and Women are priming themselves for a big season ahead. Our Men are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2018, whilst both Women’s sides are looking to build on impressive 2018 campaigns, that involved a notable finals run from the seniors. 2019 marks the first time all five of La Trobe’s teams will be competing in the VAFA, after the Women moved from the NFNL last year. 

Since early November there have been more than 80 players slogging it out on the track for pre-season training. Leading from the front all Summer are 2018 Senior Best and Fairest winners, Tom Mooney and Kate Bond. Experienced campaigner Andy Castles (fresh off a premiership with his local club), has also been putting in the hard yards, as he looks to take his game to a new level. Veteran Senior footballer Sophie Rodier has been silky with ball in hand all summer, whilst for the men Josh Tomada has been working hard at a return to football, after a foot injury in round two derailed his 2018 season. 

In terms of recruits, Josh’s older brother Aaron looks to be a handy pick up, as do Sherise ‘Shez’ Scicluna and Elise ‘Millsy’ Miller. The two have been tearing up the track at training, putting plenty of kilometres under the legs. Jesse ‘J-Mac’ McNeill has been dominating the time trials, which is a good sign for the season ahead. Soraya Jeanes and Monika Alida are two great additions for the Women’s sides, who will be keen to make their mark in the VAFA. There have been plenty of old faces returning to the club over the pre-season. The likes of Will Lowry, Fedor Balabanov, Ryan Timmins, Ricky Nolan, Ernie Fan, Billy Higgins and Matt Hay, have all made appearances on the track. These boys will no doubt bring much needed experience and skill to their respective sides. 

The next month shapes as crucial for the club, as many of our players return to Melbourne after spending their summer working in their home towns. We hope to see many of these faces back at training, as well as plenty of new ones, to prepare for what looks to be a promising season for the mighty Trobers!