A season of brilliant highs and painful lows. A season of triumphant victory and bruising defeat. But amongst all the controversy, drama and battling against the odds, the West Preston lakeside football club can rest assured knowing that the clubs future is bright with a superb group of young men taking the club forward in the future.
The season started with a huge turnover of players. New coach Ash McGregor inherited a young inexperienced group, with some coming from the triumphant under 16/17s sides of Paul Signorello, while other players left to pursue other footballing endeavours. With 4 junior roosters heading to the Northern Knights in the elite TAC cup competition, the playing list was starting to look severely depleted. This tumultuous turnover of players, as well as a fractured pre-season led to a disastrous start to the season, culminating in an embarrassing draw with a severely undermanned Bundoora side. Heavy losses to fellow developing unit Macleod and flag fancies Montmorency followed, and a momentous second half fadeout to Greensborough in which a 12 point second quarter lead turned into a 20 goal loss. Players to hold their head high during this dark period include Mitch Tobin, who compiled 5 consecutive best on grounds in the early going of the season.
After an improved performance in an away loss to Whittlesea, the turning point of the season came after the side’s big loss to Northcote Park. Without superstar Mitch Tobin, who was rewarded with a senior game, the side struggled to generate any scoreboard opportunities and player morale was at an all-time low. A review of the entire senior playing list revealed up to 8 eligible under 19s players playing reserve grade football. With a promise to bolster the stocks of the young roosters team, on baller Andrew Miceli led a player review leading up to the teams game against fellow cellar dweller Heidelberg. Calling for an improved effort, the side gelled as a unit and head into the game with the most confidence held for the year. With a strong side on the park, bolstered by some excellent young juniors the 19s broke through for their first win in over a year, easily accounting for the tigers. Another win followed vs Lower Plenty, this one a nail biter. With a renewed sense of confidence, the side head into the second half of the year brimming with the confidence to put the wins on the board.
After avenging the opening round capitulation vs Bundoora, the side’s best win of the year to date came against Macleod, when the boys came from 4 goals down with the wind at De Winton Park. During this period Michael Perfetto stepped up to become arguably the competitions best player, his marking strength combined with his pace and superb work rate making him an unstoppable footballing weapon. Joey Khalil and Alex Stoikos repelled numerous forward thrusts from the opposition, and youngster Garrett Mcdonaghs sublime foot skills gave the roosters another long range weapon to goal. However a slight mid-season lull against top sides Monty, Greensborough and Northcote park suggested that the boys young legs maybe tiring against the depth of the stronger sides.
As has become a constant theme this year, the roosters proved their many detractors wrong in the final 3 rounds of the season. With a number of junior players promoted, a scrappy win against Heidelberg was followed by arguably the sides most dominant performance of the year, destroying Lower Plenty on their turf, the final margin only made respectable by the heavy conditions. Then the sides greatest moment, an 18 point win against perennial finalist Eltham, carried over the line by an awe-inspiring last term by Taylor Tangas.
A number of boys played brilliant seasons of footy in 2012. Michael Perfetto will head into presentation the unbackable best and fairest favourite, as well as clinching the leading goal kicker award. Matthew Vincitorio made the most of his short time in the 19s and was rewarded with senior selection. When with us James Rizzolio, George Gavalas and Mitch Tobin put in Match winning performances. Ben Taylor-Egan provided some strong senior experience while carrying the ruck division, and Anthony Close proved his ability to hold down a key position at either end of the ground. Meanwhile Taylor Tangas proved that with dedication to training he could be anything as a player and Engrave Aaron Lanning’s name on the most improved trophy now, as he compiled a brilliant second half of the year.
Not enough praise can go out to Ash Mcgregor and his coaching staff including John Costa for keeping their heads through a tumultuous season, as well as putting together a talented list for the future. Congratulations to the whole playing group, you have come a long way this year and kept your head up high.
In finishing I must say to the whole club, get behind your Under 19’s. The current senior list is chock full of players who Excelled in under 19s footy, and the next generation of West Preston senior players are running out every Saturday at 9.40 am. The side for 2013 is filled to the brim with talent and is arguably the strongest looking side the club will field in years, so give them the respect they deserve, because the future is looking incredibly rosy at J.E Moore Park.
Last Modified on 29/08/2012 17:25