IT'S been a long and frustrating road for district football clubs with coronavirus wiping out the 2020 season.
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Today, The Border Mail starts a series looking at how each club has fared during the break and what lies ahead.
Culcairn co-coach CRAIG BOSLEY kicks off the series, giving an insight into the Lions' progress in the Hume league.
BRETT KOHLHAGEN: You started pre-season training on October 13 so I think you've beaten all the Ovens and Murray clubs back. Why so early?
CRAIG BOSLEY: Some of the boys, not many, have trained all the way through. When Culcairn's ground was dug up for resurfacing and drainage work we wanted to keep the momentum going. We are are doing cross fit on one night and skill work on the other.
BK: I've heard a few coaches say it's a bit of a balancing act knowing when to restart after a long break?
CB: We wanted everyone to stay in touch and I thought it might help us recruit a bit too before the other clubs got going. Our plan is to get a really good base behind us before Christmas. We will do some game simulation through December and then have a month off.
BK: Is Culcairn placed better than 12 months ago?
CB: Definitely as we were only just starting out. We had lost 14 or 15 and some of them are back now. Players like Xavier Cannizzaro and Jack Chesser have come across from Wodonga Raiders so I think we are in pretty good shape.
BK: Looking to recruit still?
CB: We still have a few more in the pipeline. We are talking to three or so, particularly defenders
BK: Do you think Osborne has an advantage on the rest of the league after playing in the AFL Riverina Championship?
CB: I think it has. They have been training and playing all the way through and that's another reason why we started early. That fitness has got to help.
BK: Will clubs lose players after being out of the game for 12 months?
CB: The older blokes might give it away in the reserves. Some are comfortable with doing nothing while others are sick of doing nothing. I know there are a lot of golfers out there. At the end of the day though there is nothing like team sport. You can only catch up with blokes on Facebook for so long.
BK: What is a realistic goal for Culcairn next year?
CB: I will be disappointed if we aren't in the top four. We certainly don't want to be going backwards as we have a long and young list.
BK: Who is the team to beat?
CB: You'd have to say Osborne.
