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Football Season Preview

With the 2025 season only three weeks away, the entire Rokewood senior playing group has an insatiable hunger to get started. 

Our pre-season has been outstanding, with enormous buy in from the playing group and a clear focus on raising our standards and demanding more from each other both physically and mentally. 

From day one the coaches have put the responsibility back on the players, challenging them to take ownership of their preparation and put in the extra work at training and in their own time to elevate this special group and give them that hard mental edge. 

To their credit, they’ve ticked that box, demonstrating a level of commitment that gives us every reason to be excited about what’s ahead. 

Our pass mark for 2025 is simple— both grades playing finals football. Anything short of that will be disappointing and anything beyond that is a bonus. 

We are clear on where we want to be. 

The club as a whole has been on a successful trajectory and now the agreed goal is that it’s time for the 2:30 show to become the final piece of the puzzle. The talent is there, the work has been done and now it’s about executing effectively. We want to turn those close ones around this year and be there when it matters. 

We are incredibly pleased with our list heading into the season. Player retention was the most important factor for all senior coaches and that was achieved with 95% of the playing group re-committing to 2025. 

With the addition of some quality new recruits and other exciting and versatile players that have returned home to Rokewood we believe we are stronger and have added experience, leadership, and excitement. On top of this we have some home grown talent making the transition from junior to senior football and we are so pleased to see how they have adapted so far. Mix in a handful of wildcards that have walked into training from varying backgrounds and our depth is solid. 

From a football perspective, we have continued to build on a strong game plan and solid foundations based around contested footy, which has always been a key part of our identity. 

However, we’ve also introduced new structures and strategies that will hopefully provide us with greater flexibility in different game situations. This will allow us to play to our strengths while also adapting to whatever the competition throws at us. 

Another major focus for us this season will be strengthening the link between our senior and junior programs, ensuring a clear pathway for our younger players to develop at Rokewood. The finishing touches are being implemented to a Junior Mentoring Program which will play a key role in helping to develop our juniors and assist them in transitioning into senior football while reinforcing our club’s long-term vision.

The entire senior playing group in both the seniors and reserves is hungry and ready for Round 1. The challenge has been set, and the work has been done. Now it’s time to mix it all together and hopefully make 2025 a defining season. 

Go Hoppers!