YOU could forgive the Murray Bushrangers coaching staff for putting their feet up at the conclusion of another long campaign
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But there's no rest for the likes of coach Leon Higgins and talent manager Lee Fraser.
A day after the Bushrangers tough 17-point grand final loss to the Sandringham Dragons, Higgins and Fraser will head to Gippsland for the V-Line Cup on Monday.
The premier championship for junior regional teams, Fraser said the Bushrangers’ 2017 campaign was already under way.
“We have trial games in Yarrawonga this Friday, plus the V-Line Cup on Monday,” he said.
“It's really a 12 month job, keeping young players coming through the side.”
Fraser's work with the current squad is far from over.
A number of players will now prepare for the upcoming AFL Draft combines in October, while the AFL Draft itself looms large in November.
“We'll spend a fair bit of time with them over the next few months, just to make sure that they're tracking along alright,” he said.
“The combine is coming, as well as the draft itself.”
With some of the side's leaders, including over-age players Lachlan Tiziani and Trent McMullan to depart the club ahead of next season, Fraser said the club's healthy bottom age list would be more than competitive next season.
“We feel like we got some good games into a few of the guys,” he said.
“Players like Floyd Bollinghaus and Will Donaghey did well when they got opportunities this season, as well as the likes of Jy Lane and Charlie Spargo who played in the grand final.”
Fraser said Spargo, who has already been earmarked as a high draft pick for the 2017 intake, had enjoyed one of his best performances for the season in the grand final.
The 17-year-old finished with 24 disposals.
“He was outstanding today, we're happy to have him back next year,” Fraser said.
“Younger guys like Jy Lane were also pretty good, Fletcher Carroll and James Cousins continued their strong finals campaigns.”
Though the loss stings, Fraser said there was a silver lining in the extra exposure finals football awarded to a number of the Bushies’ top-end players who are hoping to be drafted.
“From a footy club perspective, making it this far is a great reward for everyone involved,” he said.
“That's why we play footy – to play grand finals.
“But from a talent point of view, in terms of exposing the boys at this level, playing three finals has been really good for them.”
Will Brodie and Todd Marshall have both been earmarked as possible first-round draft picks, while Ryan Garthwaite and Zach Sproule have also impressed with their state league chances.