The Fitzroy Thirdsnew captain, Tim Denatris, has a smile on his face after his teams first 2018 win, but knows the competition is not going to get any easier.

In a reconfigured Thirds competition, the Fitzroy team is now in Division 2 against some very strong sides and with the loss in the first week of the 2017 finals still stinging, the teams ambition is to get there again.

We were very disappointed last year and we definitely want to make finals again,Tim said.

So far weve played against some very good sides so we were stoked to get one on the board this week before we face (top side) Beaumaris./p>

An architect, who works from his own studio in Richmond, Tim says things havent changed up too much in the Thirds leadership group this year, with he and Jared Shaw effectively switching roles and Nathan White stepping into the deputy vice-captain position.

What has changed is the abundance of players available for selection.

Now in his fourth season with Fitzroy, Tim says in the past the Thirds have had the need to drag in friends and family at the start of the season to make up the numbers, but these days like the rest of the club there are so many people keen for a game.

In fact the oversupply of players means the captain has actually put his hand up to work on the sidelines this week and allow others to have a game.

We have a lot of senior guys who have played a lot of footy in the Thirds so theres no need to be over the top with my leadership approach. But one of the big things this year is the number of young guys who have come in, so the role is really about helping the senior guys and the young guys gel together as a team.

Were very happy with some of the Under 19s who are playing with us at the moment; they are a cut above. Players like Ezra Darby and Aaron Tatchell are making a big impression.

Were definitely taking on everything Mahns (Luke Mahoney) is trying to implement across the club and that includes the game plan so that guys can come in and out of the team and we have a consistent approach across all teams.

The Thirds is about a good balance were serious on Saturdays but we also make sure we have some time to socialise and hang out with good mates, Tim said.

There are a lot of players who have other commitments in life now but still really want to play footy. We have multiple guys who are in the emergency services and do shift work there are a lot of good stories but they still want to be part of Fitzroy and be with their mates.

Im not quite sure what brings people to Fitzroy in the first place but once youre there its very hard to leave, its such a welcoming place with so many diverse individuals./p>

Photo: The men responsible for bringing Tim Denatris (centre) to Fitzroy, Adam Tiab and Nathan White, pictured with their now captain.