Sante Donadel takes over as Yoogali SC's first grade side

Sante Donadel, who has been an assistant coach for a number of seasons, is taking charge of the first-grade side this season.

Donadel, who has coached the first-grade side in the past, is looking forward to tackling the challenge.

"It's a bit different for me, but I just have to get my head around it," he said.

"It was a bit scary when I first found out that I was doing it, but I have come to terms with it now. Every week I'll aim to get better, and hopefully, I will enjoy it."

The club is getting stuck into their preseason, and Donadel is pleased with the numbers showing up in the opening weeks.

"Considering the last two years have been stop-start, especially last year the boys haven't really played since August, it is good to see the blokes here that are keen to get going again," he said.

"On Tuesday night, we had 22, and then on Thursday night, we had 16, so that is pretty good for the first week. Tonight (Tuesday), we have had a couple of new players turn up, so numbers-wise, it is pretty pleasing."

Donadel is hoping that many hands will make light work as the season unfolds.

"We are lucky because we have Julia Vearing and Matthew Moon doing fitness for us, which is great," he said.

"Luke is doing 23s, and I have help with Andrew Keady and Andrew Vitucci as well. As well as having the senior heads of Dippa (Michael DiPaoli) and Panda (Luke Pandolfo)."

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The season is just over two months away, and the club has a couple of preseason matches line-up, starting with a trip to Albury to take on the Boomers on February 19 before the season gets underway on Saturday, March 19.

Donadel said it was a case of building steadily to get into the season.

"We want to build up slowly and with fewer injuries," he said.

"That's why it's good that we have Julia and Moony because they are going to do a lot of strengthening. I think the trick is to not get there too quick."

Donadel highlighted a stretch of away games against ANU, Tuggeranong and Queanbeyan as one his side will have to be ready for.

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