Melrose coach Kade Rixon is facing arguably the biggest test in his four years in the top job.
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Rixon will be without eight of his starting 11 from last season's heartbreaking AWFA cup semi-final loss to champions Myrtleford.
Josh O'Brien has moved overseas for the year, Evan Rawluk (Shepparton), Nick Musarra (Brisbane) and Dylan Howe (Melbourne) have relocated for work and Lachlan Arkinstall has moved back to Echuca.
Alex Gorka is playing footy, Todd Meehan has increased work commitments, Morgan Payne is set to retire, while goalkeeper Josh Fluss has crossed to Albury United.
Rixon, his brother Trent and Adam Waters are the only three that remain, but Trent's availability will also be limited with work.
But Rixon is embracing the task at hand.
"October-November was a bit of a worry and the last straw was probably 'Hammer' (Arkinstall) returning home for uni," he said.
"I think from last year's team, there's only Trent, 'Sheepy' (Waters) and I left and Trent's only going to play six to eight games.
"He'll do what he did last year and come back when he can.
"We’ve lost most our senior core, it would have been nice to have a couple of them to teach the younger ones, but it is what it is.
"The most important thing is everyone has left because of work, outside of Flussy who decided he wanted to go (to Albury United) and that's his decision."
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Melrose has covered the spate of departures by welcoming a host a talented young prospects.
Sam Brosolo has joined after a season at Murray United, Wodonga Diamonds' Jakob and Ben Barlow, Bailey Dexter and Dylan Roberts have signed, while David Grant has returned to the club from Sydney.
"I'm going to feel like a grandpa I think," Rixon laughed.
"Jakob Barlow is an absolute gun and is only 18, Dylan Roberts is only 20, Sam Brosolo is 20-21, so it's exciting," Rixon said.
"I remember playing against him (Barlow) last year and they played him at centre back, but he's got too much talent.
"I'm going to play him at number 10, all pre-season he's been the most important player for us.
"Sam was tossing up between us and Albury United, but he's committed to us."
Waters will captain the side, with Brosolo also in the leadership group.
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Beau Greenway
I like to tell the stories of great people in our communities. Email: beau.greenway@austcommunitymedia.com.au
I like to tell the stories of great people in our communities. Email: beau.greenway@austcommunitymedia.com.au
