Named Benalla All Blacks newest senior coach at the end of the 2019 season, Spencer quickly began to put in place a strategy and list he hoped would take the club into a new era of success.
And although he missed the chance to lead the team on and off the field this year, Spencer is not done yet, re-signing as senior coach ahead of the new season.
Benalla All Blacks keep busy behind scenes ahead of next season
Spencer said it was a “no-brainer” to sign on as coach again.
“Just the way the boys were looking going into the start of this year, it was a pretty easy decision to sign on,” Spencer said.
“We were looking pretty handy and hopefully we can carry that through to next year.”
Spencer will once again be joined at the helm by reserves coach Matt Kilpatrick, who was also gearing up for his maiden season in charge this year.
With Victoria’s winter months now shifting out of the rear mirror, Spencer said more productive player talks had begun at the club in regards to the upcoming season.
“I suppose a lot of people hadn’t thought too much about footy, but a lot of the boys are doing a bit more now and are looking at getting back in some sort of shape before training starts again,” he said.
GALLERY: Footy day at St Joseph’s Primary School - Oct 22
With next year’s salary cap set to take a massive dive, Spencer said the consequence of that had not made much of a difference to his strategy yet.
“Everyone I’ve spoken to about the money side of it, I haven’t had an issue with,” he said.
“But putting a team together on $50,000 is hard.
“You’re losing up to 28 per cent of your salary cap.”
Despite this the All Blacks’ list is beginning to shape up once again, with Spencer confident most, if not all, the 2020 list would return as talks continue this week.
“Matt and I caught up the other night and we were able to talk a bit about recruitment and development-wise,"’ Spencer said.
“There are also a group of young blokes who we are hoping to develop, so we’ll be looking to put a bit more time in there.”
The club has begun announcing its first player signings, with 2019 club best and fairest Sam Newton back on board, while Kyle Collison will also return.
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Added to the list will be brothers Rory and Brayden Wapling, two players Spencer hopes will be longtime servants at the club.
“Rory and Brayden, we see them being at the club for a long time,” he said.
“Both are utilities who will probably play half-forward before developing into midfielders.”
Though there is no date currently set for the start of pre-season, Spencer said he was hopeful to have restrictions at a place to allow up to 20 players to train together before they begin.
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