CAMPERDOWN is putting together the building blocks it thinks can deliver its next premiership.
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A Henry Bradshaw goal here, a Lachy Bone tackle there and a Tyler Fowler run down the wing are glimpses into its vision for long-term Hampden league success.
First-year coach Phil Carse arrived at Leura Oval with the security of a multi-year, tasked with guiding the Pies up the ladder.
They won’t play finals this season – for the first time in three years – but the former NEAFL jet has laid solid foundations.
Camperdown has already re-signed the bulk of its list heading into the final round, giving it more time to source recruits in the off-season.
And Carse is confident in the players already at his disposal – particularly a promising group of teenagers which have experienced the rigours of senior football this season.
Bradshaw (12 games), Bone (12), Green (nine), Riley Arnold (seven) and Fowler (six) have all impressed him.
Bradshaw and Bone – both 17 – are year 11 classmates at Mercy Regional College.
They both made their Hampden senior debuts this season.
Both praised Carse for fast-tracking their development this season.
“Phil got us into fitness and leadership,” Bradshaw said.
“Everyone seems to like him and he gives young players an opportunity.”
Bone, who battled glandular fever in the pre-season, said Carse was one of the main reasons he defected from Colac and District league club Simpson for 2015.
“It’s been really great learning heaps off Phil,” Bone said.
“I’ve learned how to play my football properly and increase my work rate, skills, how to go about certain situations on the ground.”
Meanwhile, Koroit welcomes back Maskell Medal-winning duo Ben Goodall and Simon O’Keefe from injury for its final-round hit-out.
O’Keefe will play forward in his first game since round 10. An ankle injury has limited the Panmure premiership coach to four matches in his return season at Victoria Park.
Saints coach Adam Dowie said he was thrilled to have O’Keefe back.
“He is a big game player with his experience and speed,” he said.
“When you put a player like that in, with his terrific record, the way he plays and his leadership, it’s massive.
“It’s been a really frustrated season for him, no doubt about that.”
O’Keefe is likely to play forward in his return game but will provide the Saints with their third Maskell Medallist in the middle if he moves onball alongside Goodall and Isaac Templeton at any stage throughout the contest.