Broadbridge still aiming for Tigers to contend for flagFriday, March 21, 2014 - 1:16 PM - by Chris Pike

NEW Claremont coach Michael Broadbridge sees no reason why the Tigers can't remain a premiership contender in 2014 despite the loss of a bevy of star players.

It is easy to look at the list of departures from Claremont that includes Ian Richardson, David Crawford, Chad Jones, Paul Medhurst, James Thomson, Jesse Laurie and Andrew Browne, and think the Tigers might fall down the WAFL ladder in 2014.

However, Broadbridge can't see that happening with the players departing opening up opportunities both for those in the side to take on more responsibility, and for others at the club to receive more regular chances in the league side.

Claremont's team still possesses Mark Seaby, Luke Blackwell, Trinity Handley, Jake Murphy, Andrew Foster and Mitch Andrews so the top end experienced brigade are as good as any team in the competition.

Then Tom Ledger, Henry Roberts, Brandon Franz and Matt Orzel all return to the club with Bernard Sneeuwjagt and Mathew Aitchison also on board after previously playing with Perth and Swan Districts respectively.

Claremont has won the last four WAFL minor premierships winning two flags along the way so Broadbridge inherits a team used to success, and he sees little reason to suggest the Tigers won't be a force again in 2014.

"I think we certainly have enough at the club in terms of young players pushing through and quality remaining in the side from the successful sides to remain very competitive this year and to push for a top-four position, and maintain our standing in the competition as one of the top sides," Broadbridge said.

"From my point of view, I don’t see any reason why we can't be very competitive and win more games than not and participate in September. I think I would be a bit worried if I was feeling pressure before Round 1 has even started yet, but it's more about developing players and getting everything in place for the season.

"The club has a great breeding ground and development academy, and it has produced quality footballers and teams. My job is to oversee that, develop players and continue the tradition of building from within that Claremont had done so well for at least the last decade and see where it takes us. Predominately our team again will be homegrown Claremont players."

What Broadbridge is excited about is the opportunities created in the Claremont team by the players leaving and already for Round 1 against Perth at Lathlain Park, Steven Edwards, Darcy Cameron, Jack Richardson, Maximilian Bentley and Brenden Abbott are all a chance to play.

"Losing a lot of players means opportunity for others. In the past there has been guys playing in the reserves or even in the colts wondering where a chance could open up, but now with the departure of those guys enormous opportunity is created," he said.

"Sometimes you don’t know how well you can go until you get a chance and that's what I am really excited about.

"We have a lot of guys eager to put their hands up to push for selection and unless you give them an opportunity, you don’t know if they will stand up or not. I'm excited about that and so are all the other coaches, and Claremont supporters should be as well."

Ledger is sure to make a big impact on return to Claremont as well after time with St Kilda in the AFL and the Tigers should have one of, if not the best midfields in the competition with him, Blackwell, Murphy, Foster and being led by ruckman Seaby.

"Tom is a fantastic, effervescent character who is very enthusiastic and is a terrific footballer as well. He is very excited about playing a full season of WAFL football. Right from day one he came back with a tad of disappointment, but more than anything enthusiasm about the season ahead," Broadbridge said.

"He wasn’t feeling sorry himself, he was really positive and looking forward to playing footy for Claremont and that's a fantastic attitude to have coming off an AFL list. The world's his oyster this year in terms of how far he can go in the WAFL and then who knows he might be back into the AFL system."

The Tigers also received some good news shortly before the season with dual premiership player Foster deciding to play on again in 2014 to add to his 123 senior-game career.

"Andrew is a fantastic leader around the club. He has been at Claremont for a number of years now and is a very successful player in the WAFL," Broadbridge said.

"We were talking to Andrew for a fair while and he had a situation where he was working hard during the day so he was finding it hard to get off work and come to training and games with the amount of energy required. That has changed for him recently and we are fortunate to have him back on board.