SWFL 2014: Pies focus on trophy

The Busselton Football Club is looking for more than just a hitout when the pre-season carnival starts at Bovell Park tomorrow.

The Magpies take on last year’s finalists Augusta Margaret River and Bunbury in two shortened matches to determine whether they make next week’s grand final.

Not all clubs take the tournament seriously, but Magpies coach Greg Hodson said they definitely wanted to bring home the trophy.

“We’re going there to win it, ” he said.

“We’ve got a hard draw, we’ve got Bunbury in the first game and Margaret River in the second game, but we are at home so it’s going to be an advantage.”

“In saying that, we’ll still experimenting a bit.

“I’ve got to get myself organised for the starting 22 in a couple of weeks so there are still opportunities there for blokes.”

He said the format, whereby the grand finalists were decided on percentage, meant they could not afford to drop a game.

But he was confident in the team and said they were looking good on the training track.

“Compared to the team last year we’ve got to be 25 per cent better, ” Hodson said.

“Most of the boys are at a fitness level where they should be.”

Crowds can expect a new-look Magpies this season, through a tweaked game plan.

Hodson said they were focusing on a more efficient scoring style after missing the finals last year.

“We always had enough of the footy, but didn’t manage to kick enough goals to win the game, ” he said.

“We’ve changed that a bit to create more scoring opportunities.

“Rather than running and carrying the ball, it’s about getting it into the forward line and setting up a wall until we score.”

He said the youth of the club would provide some tall targets up forward and named Perry Francis and Reegan Mrsich as athletic players who could fill the role through the season.

The pre-season carnival starts at 1.50pm tomorrow in the lead-up to Round 1 on April 19.