Central Vic Footy chats with Eaglehawk midfielder Marty O’Reilly

Thanks for taking a minute to talk us at Central Vic Footy Marty. You’re a Premiership player at both Golden Square and Eaglehawk is it right that Northern United was your home club? And take us through your Junior football days.

My junior football was with my school teams in St Thereses & later various Marist sides. I played with Northern United before the club went into recess, moved to Golden Square then to Eaglehawk.

Just before we chat about Season 2008 explain what it was like to part of that Drought breaking Eaglehawk Premiership team and where it stacks up on your list of football highlights?

It is definitely the highlight of my football. Eaglehawk is such a great club to be involved with and the premiership meant so much to so many people. Ray Watts, Archie Lenton, Mick McKern, etc waited 25 years for the flag & it’s an honour to be a part of that.

You have been in charge of taking the Pre-Season at Eaglehawk over the summer months. What type of training have you had the group involved in and who have been some of the standouts?

All Clubs will say they have endured their best pre season in years & we are no different. The guys followed a 9 week program prior to our group sessions which started mid January. The entire pre season was based on our running game, consisting of reps over varying distances & recovery times. We place an emphasis on fitness during skill drills. Kain Robins, Josh Ketterer, Damien Lock & Cam Milward have not missed a beat.

How has your Pre-Season been personally and what are your goals as a player for the Season ahead?

I had surgery late November meaning I did the bulk of my solid running sessions prior to that. Post op was a mixture of swimming, bike, weights & I have been back into full training for 6 weeks now. Winning back to back flags is what we’re after.

You mentioned that you believe that the 2008 is stronger than that of last Season why do think the improvement will come from?

Obviously we have added some quality players ( Crawford, Lock, C Milward, Hill ) however our improvement will come from the development of our list. Herdman, Dole, Hartley, Metcalf, Ketterer, Nicolson, Tilburn, Milroy, Rogerson, Robins, Gretgrix, etc are yet to peak as footballers. It’s an exciting time at our club.

In recent years you have been involved with the Bendigo Pioneers what was your role with the TAC side and how would you describe that experience?

I had 4 years with the Pioneers as Fitness Advisor & match day runner. I learnt plenty through the coaching staff, TAC seminars, etc in regards to preparation, tactics & training. It’s a good system which fast tracks players development.

Are you interested in Coaching in the coming years and if so at what level?

I’ve had opportunities to coach, but I’m involved with a great club & choose not to move on. I’m very happy in my current position at Eaglehawk.

This Saturday is going to be an absolute blockbuster to kick the season off with a Grand Final replay against Gisbourne what importance has Derek Filo placed on the game?

It will be a blockbuster. Derrick hasn’t mentioned the Gisborne game specifically, although we’re well aware of the importance in winning early matches.

In what facets of the match can Eaglehawk can gain an advantage to win the match in your opinion?

We believe in our personnel & our game plan, if we don’t stray from it we will give ourselves a great chance of taking the points.

Thanks again on behalf of Central Vic Footy readers Marty and Good Luck for the Burra’s Back to Back Premiership Campaign.

Thanks Troy.

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