He has incurred a one-game suspension playing in the AFL Darwin League which rules him out for this Saturday’s season-opening clash against Echuca United at Echuca.
Ilett played and starred with the Blues in previous seasons and, although, now in the twilight of a magnificent career is still expected to have a key influence on the team’s fortunes this season.
Another of its experienced stars, ex-Carlton and Melbourne player Brock McLean will also miss the opening round through suspension.
But new coach Steve Hammond is confident newcomers and returnees can make up for the departures and keep his side competitive for the season.
Jack Hammond, Baily Waasdorp, Daniel Maher, Ryley Cowley and a former captain, James Cullen, are back in the Blues camp and other newcomers impressing on the track pre-season have been Jack Grintle, a forward/on-baller from Ocean Grove, and emerging local Levi Taylor.
Last year’s skipper and ruck star Kyle Fitzgerald has also returned from a season in the Top End.
‘‘We will have a mix of good young players and a group of experienced players and we aim to be competitive in every game we play,’’ Hammond said.
Netball
Tongala’s A-grade players are looking to recapture their 2023 title-winning form after falling agonisingly short in the preliminary final last year.
Grace Hammond was set to be joined by veteran goaler Milly Brock as co-coach, but with Brock currently battling a serious illness, there is no timetable on when or if she will be able to return to her role in the side this season.
The club has rallied around Brock, holding an intra-club practice match and barbecue on Friday night and raising $4000 for her GoFundMe campaign, which, as of Tuesday, now totals more than $17500.
While Brock will have the thoughts of her teammates with her, the side will need to perform on court in her absence.
There is plenty of top-talent waiting in the lower divisions, with the Blues’ B, C, and C-Reserve sides all taking out their respective premierships last year.
“Preseason's been going really well,” said Hammond early in pre-season.
“We had a little bit of a longer break than usual, but the girls are all super keen to get back into it.
“We've had really good numbers, especially after the finish we had last season with B, C and C-Res all winning it and A-grade just missing out on the granny.
“Numbers have been really good at training, and the fire's been up, that's for sure.”
19°C