Matt Spencer.
FORGOTTEN Myrtleford star Matt Spencer has declared he’ll be fit for the club’s season opener against North Albury.
In a massive boost for the Saints, one of their most prized playing assets says he’s on track to play in the first round clash at home against the Jason Akermanis-coached Hoppers.
Spencer, who is on the long road back from a knee reconstruction, said the Saints’ preseason training camp at Mount Buffalo last weekend had given him plenty of confidence.
The former Geelong utility battled soreness early in the off-season and there was concern Spencer’s recovery would take longer than expected.
However, he crushed those doubts in emphatic fashion yesterday.
“I’m champing at the bit,” Spencer said.
“Everything is tracking along well.
“The camp last weekend was a good test for the knee, and it’s held up.”
Spencer, who suffered his crippling blow in the Saints’ first round loss to Wangaratta Rovers last year, made no secret of the fact that last year was his toughest yet.
It was the first long-term injury of his career.
“I take my hat off to anyone who has gone through something like that,” Spencer said.
“You take it for granted when you’re cherry ripe.
“It was really tough not being out there to help the guys each week.”
The former Swan Districts ace said the club had united under new co-coaches Brad Murray and Leigh Corcoran.
“It’s obviously a bit of a different setup having two playing coaches but they’ve injected a bit of life into the group,” Spencer said.
“They’re doing all the drills, the same amount of running as everyone else and so they know exactly what each player is going through.
“We’ve got a pretty united group, at the moment.”
Spencer said the Saints wouldn’t be daunted by the likes of Yarrawonga and Albury, who look set to continue their dominance of the league after bumper off-seasons.
“Obviously it’s going to be a battle to stay up with the likes of those teams but it didn’t stop us last year from taking a few scalps,” he said.
Spencer said the Saints were happy enough with their list.
“We’ve lost some key personnel but Brad and Kristan Height will add heaps,” he said.