MYRTLEFORD is putting its players through a rigorous pre-Christmas training program in a bid to improve its woeful starts over the past two seasons.
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The Saints had to wait until round 7 to open their account this year and took until round 6 in 2013 to taste their first win under co-coaches Leigh Corcoran and Brad Murray.
Corcoran said the club couldn’t afford another poor start with a number of teams vying for finals.
“We have ramped pre-season up straight away,” Corcoran said yesterday.
“Our starts haven’t been the best over the past two years in the first five or so games and we want to alleviate that issue.
“We have to take it to another level with our fitness and preparation.
“Hence we’re hitting the ground pretty hard.”
Myrtleford has given itself a realistic chance of returning to the top-five by signing Shannon Broadbent, Mitch Hough, Fraser Lucas, John Simpson, Patrick Sullivan and Izack Ralph.
Hayden Murray (King Valley) and Tim Madden (Thurgoona) are the only confirmed losses.
The Saints have averaged about 20 players at training at McNamara Reserve and another 15 in Melbourne under Morris medallist Kristan Height.
Myrtleford takes on reigning premier Albury at McNamara Reserve in round 1.