Berbakov, who is the club’s backline coach, knows what a bonanza it will be for the team if he can get those four running defenders on the field, and fit, at the same time.
In 2008 Malceski was injured, in 2009 Kennelly was in Ireland as Shaw arrived …but…touchwood…Berbakov is hoping he will land the backline bonanza in season 2010.
And with Craig Bolton, Heath Grundy and Ted Richards likely to share the key defensive posts, there may be an embarrassment of riches in defence.
Berbakov says there will be tough competition for spots in defence.
“Unfortunately the first couple of rounds someone is going to be playing in Canberra (for the reserves) but that’s a great position for the Club to be in,’’ Berbakov says.
After several practice matches during the past month, Berbakov believes the team’s run from defence will be much better than last year when injuries took their toll.
“Tadhg is back better than we all expected. His form on the training track and his speed has him looking like a new player from what he was when he left, so he will slip straight back in,’’ Berbakov said.
“Nick Malceski is obviously flying pre-season, he has ticked off everything, and then Rhyce Shaw showed what he can do last year when he was second in the best and fairest.’’
Last year Mattner was shifted to the midfield late in the season as players got injured and the on-ball division needed bolstering.
But that cost the defence, and Berbakov is hopeful it won’t have to happen this year.
“Marty started off down back and then when we needed some extra pace and run in the midfield so we had to take him out, but hopefully with Ben McGlynn and Josh Kennedy coming in and maybe one of the drafted kids might fill a wing spot, that will allow Marty to play more defence and I think he plays his best footy down there as well,’’ Berbakov said.
“And then there is Nick Smith who had a super second half of the year and Reg Grundy, who would have finished in the top three in our best and fairest based on the second half of the year…It is very exciting times.’’
