Bichel's return to inspire Lions

Laidley Lions player-coach Robbie Bichel is hoping for plenty of commitment from his troops this season.

Sarah Harvey

BACK after two years in Victoria, Robbie Bichel has wasted little time jumping head-first into things at the Laidley Lions

He has taken over as the club's Challenge Cup coach, junior co-ordinator and, at age 39, will lace on the boots as well.

He just hopes his players show the same sort of commitment.

It was the lack of it that made last year's Challenge Cup coach Rocky Wellburn despair.

Former Lions five-eighth Matt Kelly is also back and keen to play, along with Josh Ryan, who spent last year with the South Logan FOGS Cup team.

"I just love footy and didn't want it to die in the town," Bichel said of his reasons for getting so heavily involved in the club again.

So far, so good, with between 16 and 18 attending training each Tuesday and Thursday and more still to come once the cricket season is over.

"We've got a fairly good senior playing group who are training fairly well," Bichel said. "They're there for a reason and want to have a real hot crack at it."

No doubt Wellburn thought the same thing a year ago, but some poor results saw the players' commitment nose-dive quickly.

Preventing something similar happening will be Bichel's biggest challenge.

"Keeping unity is the main thing," he said.

"It might stem that.

"The other is to win a few games."

Bichel is pleased with the number of juniors at the club this season but knows future numbers will be dependent on the success of the seniors.

"We've probably got 50-60 new signings in the juniors," he said.

"It's looking pretty good.

"It's one of our healthier years.

"I put it down to fielding a senior side.

"A few years back when we had the semi-final side, it boosted the juniors.

"Just the fact there is league being played and people see that."

Bichel has been getting some of Laidley's better juniors training with the seniors to expose them to a higher level.

He hopes it develops the sort of club spirit that will see Laidley continue to grow in 2012 and beyond.

"Hopefully we can create a bit more club harmony," Bichel said.

"Get a bit tighter together.

"Hopefully some of our senior boys will filter back and help the club out."