With 2014 being the second full season I've coached our U19s, the importance of our club maintaining an U19 team now & into the future has never been so overwhelmingly clear. With the senior side losing 3 top ten players in Darcy Wale, Nick McConnell, Greg Smith, together with young gun Nick Owen for the year all before Rd 3.
The fallout of these injuries had our senior team looking shaky for September action. The only upside to the injuries was the opening up of senior spots for anyone waiting for their opportunity. Seventeen year old Braydon Bowes started the season at CHB, Rd 5 saw 19 year old Daniel Begley debut at CHF and Rd 11 had another 19 year old, Troy Smith debut as a small forward. Rd 12 saw 18 year old Jack Macgregor play his first senior game for the Cats as well. All four boys grabbed their chance with both hands. And in the case of Brayds, Begs & Troyza, they not only held their spot in the team, but were a pivotal reason as to why we are 2014 Premiers!
Credit must go to Dogga & Harty for not only giving these boys the opportunity, but backing them so they could find their feet at senior level. It was great to see the young players really connected with Dogga, both on & off the field in 2014. Without doubt this is a club policy, which places great emphasis on who is appointed senior coach of our club in any given season.
This year was definitely the year of recruiting players who had played a fair bit of junior footy, but, for various reasons, had given footy away. Guys like Jacob Hill, Sam Magro, Arron Morris, Cameron Bisschop, Tyson Brown, Tom Wright, Daniel White etc didn't play in 2013. Then guys like Jake Frankcombe, Patty Calvert, Troy Smith, Daniel Begley, Nicholas Frew, Jack Macgregor who were playing elsewhere but had lost the enjoyment footy is supposed to give. Bringing all these boys together at Silvan and refocusing on the main reason we play footy in the first place - back to having fun, saw a great year had by all involved.
Unfortunately we suffered injuries to new players Curtis Damon (wrist) & Kristian Prosdocimi (knee) early on. Good news is both will be back in 2015. Good luck fellas!
I'd like to congratulate all the trophy winners, especially to our B&F winner, Hilly & Deitz who was runner up. Both guys could easily step up to senior footy next year. I for one, would be extremely disappointed if either boy didn't give it their best shot!
A massive thank you to Timmy Thornhill who as team manager, did a power of work for this team. The boys as well as I, are very appreciative of everything you do for us Timmy. Love ya mate!
Also thanks to my crazy assistant Blair Neill. Blair is not too much older than most of the players himself. But Blair proved to be a great motivator and comic relief at the same time! B.C. sure lives up to the 'fun' aspect of footy.
To our fantastic trainers, Bunta, Lizzy & Darren. Boundary ump Tyson Bissells, goal umps Begsy & Whitey. Along with all the volunteers, helpers, parents & sponsors who all make Saturday mornings much easier to deal with - I can't thank you all enough! It's always a big effort to get the boys out on the ground week in, week out. But with so many willing to help out, we manage quite well.
Can't forget Ellen Hayes & Steve Smith for their brilliant action photos of the players. Many a Facebook profile or Instagram upload was born from Steve's or Ellen's cameras. The boys absolutely loved it! Great stuff guys, especially you Steve, adding your clever one liners! You father of a gun!
This might be a little self absorbed, but I've been involved with footy for over 35 years. First as a player & then as a committee member, all the way to my role as President now. But coaching our U19s the last 2 1/2 years has provided me with some of the most satisfying & greatest achievements I've ever been lucky enough to experience in footy! You hear a lot of negatives about this age group in general society. But I've found if you can instil confidence, trust and have each player really feeling a part of something, regardless of ability or background and not fill their lives at the club with over the top rules & regulations, you definitely see a very different side to this generation. These boys have a lot more intelligence then what's often perceived. I have no doubt that future club captains, 200 game players, team managers, life members & even club presidents have passed though our U19s over the last few years. I look forward to the day when the likes of a Patrick Calvert or a Rhys Lloyd invites me to his President's Lunch!
In closing, I'd like to thank every player who's pulled on a Silvan jumper for us this year. Even if you only played one game, it means the world to me and our club! I look forward to coaching our U19s in 2015 and continue to see these young guns take Silvan to heights we could only dream of a few short years ago!
#catsfootyforever
Under 19 Coach
Chris Maclagan
Last Modified on 01/01/2015 08:04