Unfortunately for the Eagles, they didn’t register a win as injuries and player unavailability took its toll in what coach Lewis Baker described as a ‘trying year.’ 

However, it was not a complete waste - there were positives that emerged from this season, with the club managing to field a full three sides each round and handing its junior players valuable game time that will lead to a brighter future. 

Baker, in his first season as senior coach, knew from the start that 2015 was going to be a challenge. 

“The positive for us was being able to blood a lot of young kids, and give them that experience at senior level,” he said. 

“We were really trying this year to play good footy early, but there were injuries. It was an experience all the same, and made me a better footballer.” 

This was reflected at the club’s best and fairest vote count, with the coach taking home the club’s highest honours for 2015.

Baker, 24, learnt a lot in his first season as Ararat Eagles’ senior coach. He said the toughest aspect was drawing the line between being ‘mates’ with his players, and balancing that with his new role. 

“You can’t too buddy-buddy with them, and you’ve got to make the tough call and as a young coach, that was the hardest part of it,” he said. 

Ararat Eagles’ secretary, Jess Wright, was full of praise for Baker. 

“Lewie was great. He really kept at it (coaching), even when times were really tough. He had a really good relationship with the players and that was important,” she said. 

“He got a response from the younger players as well.”

Baker led by example and his predecessor, Nathan Wemyss (who was runner up in the Eagles’ vote count) also showed great leadership throughout the season. 

“Those two blokes formed a good foundation for our club,” Wright said. 

Other players that showed improvement and great strength throughout the season were defenders Lachie Bond and Zac Jenkins.

At 19 years old age, Bond finished third in the club best and fairest and has a promising future at the Eagles while Jenkins, 16, was runner up in the under 16.5 League vote count. 

“Zac has showed that he can make that step up into senior footy,” Baker said. 

This pre-season, the aim for the Ararat Eagles is to retain their junior talent while it is hoped other young players that played a role in the club’s 2013 premiership victory, will make a return in 2016.

Best performance: Round 16 v Caramut – 32 points: Leading by three points at half time, the Eagles couldn’t contain the Swans to eventually go down. Ararat had eight individual goal scorers on the day, with Tom Taurau and Nathan Wemyss putting on solid displays. 

Worst performance: Round 13 v Lismore/Derrinallum – 295 points: This was a dirty day for the Eagles against the eventual MDFL league premiers. They failed to score in this match at Lismore, and one could not help but feel sorry for them. Brent Bulger, Lachie Bond and Mark Coole were among Ararat Eagles’ best players. 

BAKER’S TOP THREE PLAYERS: