Football
8 April, 2026
Lakers look to continue momentum
After some midseason struggles during 2025, the Taylors Lake senior football side is hoping to build on its encouraging finish to last year.
As well as retaining most of last year’s team, the side will be boosted by the addition of multiple recruits.
Having come on as interim coach in the back half of the 2025 season, Lee Marshall said maintaining the same playing group was a big factor in taking the coaching role in 2026.
“When we were having the conversation around coaching again, the only real condition I had was that we kept the group that we had, and that’s what we’ve done,” Marshall said.
“We’ve got such a young, skilful playing group that has all the potential in the world.
“To finish the season off with those two wins was a reward for the young fellas, and was proof that they are good enough if they believe and are willing to put the work in.
“Add in the addition of some key recruits coming on board, and that’s what led me to take on the role again.”
Leading the additions will be assistant coach and former league best and fairest Deek Roberts, who returns to the club from Nhill.
“Deek coming on board is massive for the group,” Marshall said.
“He’s a very well-known name from around the area, has played at a higher level, and has addressed that he wants to finish off where it all started for him.
“Having him around the younger group and setting the training standard since the start of the preseason has been huge.
The Lakers have also acquired Dylan Bates from Pimpinio, Mackenzie May from Waratah, Jude Poyser from Newcomb and returning player Tra Martin, with Marshall believing they all fill key needs for the side.
“Once we recommitted everyone, we went away and debunked our game style and where we fell away last year,” Marshall said.
“One key issue is how we turned the ball over at the wrong times, so we wanted that class around the footy where we could control the run forward, and that’s what we’ve targeted.
“Jude Poyser’s a very skilful, hard-running midfielder.
“Mackenzie comes from Darwin, and he is a 6-foot-3 mobile forward ruck, and those sort of players don’t just grow on trees.”
Marshall is aware that reaching the finals is a lofty ambition, but believes it is possible if the Lakers keep improving across the board.
“Every team comes out with a plan of trying to make finals, and that is one of our key performance indicators we want to reach,” Marshall said.
“But looking at it as a whole, I think a win for us at the end of the season is that we‘ve continued to improve culture and standards, and obviously, won more games than last year.
“If we can push the top sides and be fighting for that finals window, I think that’s a huge positive for our club and our group, and gives us momentum to keep building, because these things don’t just happen over a year or two.”