MAROOCHYDORE Roos captain Michael Roberts says his side is capable of going from the bottom four to the semi-finals this year.
The Roos' marquee recruit was announced this week as the side's captain for the forthcoming Allied Pickfords Cup season.
A star of Victorian country footy for the past decade, Roberts, 32, will debut for the Roos today in their AFLQ Division 1 season opener against University of Queensland.
Coach Brett Maloney announced on Thursday night that Roberts would lead the squad and be assisted by the team's senior playing group of Jarrod Raun, Greg Stirton and Jed Turner.
Roberts signed with the Roos after moving to the Coast for work, but said he thoroughly researched the team before offering his services.
While the Roos have had a lean couple of years, finishing eighth last season, Roberts says they are on the improve.
He said the club possessed a good young list with a heap of potential, pointing to the Roos' win in the under-18 south-east Queensland AFL competition last year.
"We've set our goals and our goal is just to make the finals," Roberts said.
"And once you make the finals, anything can happen - it's a whole new league and a whole new ball game."
Maloney said Roberts was handed the captaincy because of his leadership credentials.
While Roberts had been at the club for only two months, Maloney said the playing group had responded to him and he was the man to lead the young group through a rebuilding phase.
"We thought his leadership experience was really going to help the young boys," Maloney said.
"He's only been here two months, but he's already had a real positive impact. We polled the players and found the one who was best to represent them."
The Roos' pre-season form has been promising. They beat arch rival Noosa by 33-points in a rain-affected match last weekend.
Steve Zemek- Sunshine Coast Daily
http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/recruit-gets-lead-roos-battle-field-afl/1837525/
Last Modified on 24/04/2013 11:54