Last week not only marked a celebratory return to the field for summer sports, but some of the region’s biggest football clubs also launched into preparations for season 2021.

Western Border clubs South, East and West Gambier all started training last week, while North Gambier’s players also dusted off their boots last night.

The opening pre-Christmas session was the start of a new era for some of those clubs with a new coaching setup.

Steve Wenman returns to lead the Roos after three years off and ran his first session back last Thursday, while a new face led the Bulldogs for the first time over at McDonald Park on the same night.

Experienced player Jayden Eldridge will become an even larger figure at East next year as he will coach the A Grade side alongside long-time leader Matt Willson.

Eldridge has grown to be a key figure on the field over many years and will now take on greater responsibility off the field.

The 27-year-old said the opportunity to co-coach had emerged over recent months and the timing was right to give it a go.

“It (co-coaching) has been talked about for the last couple of months,” Eldridge said. “Willow did come to me and asked if I would be interested in helping him out.

“He has been doing it for the last four years, so to take a bit off his plate and allow him to focus more on playing football was be a big factor for him. “I will have my say and hopefully it betters the team.”

Eldridge’s first night in charge took place under gorgeous twilight skies last Thursday night when the Bulldogs returned to the “Kennel” to embark on their march towards 2021.

Unlike earlier in the year after the initial sporting lockdown, little COVID-19 restrictions were in place to affect the work on the field.

Each player had to scan a QR code and sanitise their hands upon entry, while shared drink bottles were nowhere to be seen and replaced by plastic cups. However, it was business as usual aside from those precautions.

Eldridge said it was a great feeling to kick the Sherrin with his team mates again. “I love my football, so I was raring to get out there and have a bit of a run around with my mates,” he said.

“It was a pretty good feeling to get back out there and get around the boys again.“We did not have huge numbers, but there was still a great vibe.”

After East was one of the six clubs to participate in this year’s Limestone Coast Football League, Eldridge believes his men are one step ahead of some of the rivals.

He said playing the intense Super League fixtures puts the Bulldogs in a good place for the hopeful return of Western Border football in 2021.

“Personally, I think having that season go ahead and play six games, we are already ahead of the sides that did not play,” Eldridge said.

“That is why we let our pre-season start drag a bit longer, but once it is go time, we just need to knuckle down and keep as fit and skilful as possible before April rolls around.”

Despite the recent on-field experience, Eldridge said he did not want to rush back into action and will not start raising the intensity until after Christmas.

“We did not go too hard,” he said. “We just did a light jog to get the legs moving again because we did not want to stretch the boys too much.

“We kept it light with some kicking and marking around the field and finished off moving the ball up and down the ground.

“We will ramp things up in the new year and get a bit more serious into pre-season.”

Looking ahead to 2021, Eldridge is not planning to shake things up. He hopes to learn how Willson goes about his business and add further quality to a well-functioning system.

“He (Willson) has created a pretty good culture and game plan around the club, so I want to stick to what he has taught the boys,” Eldridge said.

“I will have my say and input and hopefully it betters the team.” Eldridge admitted coaching was not always an ambition, but after finding himself in the role, he is keen to embark on the new challenge.

“I am very passionate about my footy and I am excited to stand alongside Willow and learn a few things,” he said. “I am nervous, excited and full of emotions. “I just cannot wait to get into it.”