First-year player-coach Chris Scott has no plans to slow down the Rovers, with the former JJ Clune medallist setting high expectations for the side.
Scott was named the new coach for Rovers during the offseason, taking over from Ian Comben, but the long-time Demon doesn’t see it as a major shift.
“It’s a little bit more time consuming, now it’s not just me that I’ve got to worry about, it’s another 30, 40 blokes, and making sure that they’re getting the most out of training as well,” Scott said.
“I’ve known most of these blokes now for quite a long time, not too much has changed, it’s just a label.”
Comben steps down and leaves a successful legacy as coach, winning three premierships in 2019, 2020 and 2022, but remains with the team as assistant coach.
Now as Scott takes over the reins, he wants to build on the winning culture that Comben left the club.
“Obviously not change too much, I would like to just put a few of my ideas here and there,” he said.
“Expectations (are) probably pretty high, Ian did a beautiful job for the last five, six years, ideally I’d like to follow suit and try to do or match what he’s done.
“Ideally I’d be liking to play finals and push for a premiership.”
Despite departures of players like Kobe and Beau Simpson in the off season, Rovers are excited about the young talent in the club.
Although the colts had a forgettable season after taking the wooden spoon, Scott said he expected them to step up in the senior side.
“It’s exciting times, there’s a few young boys that will definitely be getting quite a few minutes in the league from the colts and just the boys stepping up,” he said.
After the Demons’ women picked up their first win in club history last season, they will look to improve on that this year, with the side dominating in their preseason hit out over Jurien Bay.
GLENN BARNDON PREDICTION: SEVENTH
After seven successive years in the finals and three premierships, Rovers may be about to drop away. New player-coach Chris Scott in his first season has a tough task with a number of his former teammates opting for other clubs. The Demons’ rebuild will be even harder with their colts finishing seventh last season and the reserves sixth.
Source Agencies
