A former Hampden league rising star winner with TAC Cup experience is expected to spearhead Portland’s midfield in 2016.
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Second-year Tigers coach Luke Crane believes Jake Edwards can play a major role in the Hanlon Park-based club’s fortunes.
Edwards played 16 matches for Portland in its 2015 wooden spoon season in between commitments with North Ballarat Rebels.
Crane said the ball-winner could establish himself as a dominant player.
“He was planning on going to uni but is taking a gap year, so we’re happy to keep him on board because he’s pretty much our most important midfielder,” he said.
“He’s got a lot of good attributes. One thing he is practicing a bit is (not) fumbling, which he does every now and then.
“It’s something we’re working on at training and will come.
“He’s also learning to deal with taggers.”
Crane expects to play a larger role in the Tigers’ onball brigade too.
The former SANFL jet is fit after hamstring problems and illness – he missed the final round with appendicitis – marred his 2015 season.
He starred for Hampden in its interleague belting of Murray, booting four goals as a creative small forward in a dominant opening half.
“I am planning on playing more of a midfield role this year as long as my body holds up,” Crane said.
Crane is confident the Tigers – without Hampden league goal kicking runner-up Jay Moody – can find avenues to goal in 2016.
Recruit Levi Konitzka is a key position player with SANFL experience, giving them an important focal point in attack.
“With Levi in the mix, he will provide a big target for us,” he said.
“Young Aaron Caldow can hopefully come in again now that he’s had a year of footy under his belt and Aaron Shepherd is another young player who played last year.
“Jesse Murray can play a small forward role.”
Portland is searching for key defenders following full-back Luke Van Heugten’s defection to North Warrnambool Eagles.
The 200-game Tigers veteran is moving to Warrnambool.
Crane said morale at the Tigers was high – the club will run its annual Night on Hanlon concert next Friday – with players driving the culture.
”On Saturday we had a FIFA tournament and stuff like that is breeding a bit of a culture,” he said.
“The boys are taking it off their own bat which is good.”
Portland starts its 2016 season against Camperdown at home on April 9.
