Close finish drives Cole’s Roosters ahead of opener
Tim Michell
Preston Leader
24 Mar 2015
A PAINFUL exit from the Northern Football League finals race last year will drive several members of West Preston-Lakeside’s 2015 squad, says coach Leigh Cole.
The Roosters entered the final round of the 2014 season in fifth, two points ahead of Division 1 rivals Bundoora and Lower Plenty. A final-round loss to Montmorency cost West Preston a place in finals, forcing it to watch the last month of the season from the sidelines.
While the missed opportunity preceded his tenure, Cole admitted the agonising climax to last season had been tough for the club.
“I think it stung them a little bit,” Cole said. “They probably dropped a couple of games during the season they didn’t expect to drop and to only miss out by half a game was really a kick in the guts at the end of the year.
“The feeling among the senior group is they’re really keen to play finals this year and they’ve set themselves up pretty well to do that during preseason.”
Former Hawthorn and Port Adelaide ruckman Brent Renouf, who has signed as an assistant coach, is yet to consider a return to the field. “It’s not something that’s really been spoken about,” Cole said.
“He’s focused on coaching the boys and trying to settle his life back in Melbourne.”
Renouf’s AFL career was cut short when he injured his knee last season. The Roosters’ ruck role could be filled by former Oakleigh Chargers and Coburg VFL tall Paul Johnson.
“He played VFL at Coburg last year, played the first game with them in the seniors but then had some family issues,” Cole said.
“He’s one we’re trying to get fit and up and going for Round 1.”
Cole said the club hoped an attacking style drawing on its fitness and speed would help it climb the ladder. “We’ve recruited to fill specific needs which we think we’ve done,” he said.
“Some of the younger guys have been really strong in pre-season that have played a bit of senior footy and we’re hoping for improvement from them as well.”
He said the signing of former AFL livewire David Rodan would help offset the losses of Alroy Gilligan and Alex Gleeson, while key forward Peter Shepherd has joined Bacchus Marsh.
West Preston’s season kicks off under lights on Friday, April 10 against Northcote Park.
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Last Modified on 20/01/2016 16:28