Hello to all the OFCFNC members and supporters.
After a few days of enjoying the riches of a tough couple of years, it is time to reflect on what is an outstanding trifecta that will go down as one of the great years of football.
Looking back to the end of 2007 where we set out to get a new coach into the club after the departure of our previous successful premiership coach Steve Longham and finding replacing him a frustrating task, it is amazing to see where the club has just found itself. The efforts of Chriss Riddiford and Bruce Lowery to dedicate the last 2 years trying to improve the behind the scenes department of the club, the support and time these two guys put into moving the club forward has been inspirational. The biggest step we took in moving forward was retaining a group of key players who had come out of a couple of lean years. This group of players had plenty of offers and we had very little to offer them other than change. The club required a major overhaul and this wasn't going to be a new coach, committee or outside players making the difference. This required Olinda players to make a stand, set the standards that the younger players coming through needed to learn and adhere to, they also needed to police this and get a group of very inexperienced players all moving in the same direction.
This was a huge task and hence a leadership group formed who could actively police this, grow and set the standards for the next generation of players. We couldn't have asked for a better group to kick this off and with Scott Tregoning, George Azzam, Dave Noorda, Nick Broomhall and Garratt MacDonald heading this, the players were in great hands. The growth of this group has been one of the great pleasures I have had in football and the way they have dragged the group along with them is a fantastic story in itself. I believe that with Scott Tregoning at the helm, we have an excellent role model for our young group to look up to and with big George Azzam with an amazing ability to give off field just as much as on field, our players should get a good grounding to become better club people rather than just players.
We went through 2008 season was all about learning and 2009 wasn't a great deal different. With the amount of young kids, it was never going to be a quick fix but more a case of baby steps. It would have been crazy to try and patch up holes in the side with people who didn't care about the club or were only in it for money, we have our own natural resources and needed to utilise these kids and get them playing regular footy. They needed to mature, grow and strengthen both body and mind and the 2009 pre-season was a great indicator to the coaching staff as to how far the group had come and how far they would go. The enthusiasm was exceptional and the way they gelled together was the most telling indicator that we were on the right track.
The season really evolved with some early up wins by the 1sts and the 18's, the 2's were a pet project right from end of 2008 and getting this part of the club up and running was paramount in the minds of the Sports Management Group. The 2'nds by round 5 were starting to look great and with older heads making up good numbers, the recipe for 2's success was well on the way. Shane Collee did a fantastic job and his relaxed attitude and vast football knowledge really won the boys respect which motivated the players a whole lot more. These senior players pushed the senior side and made spots more valuable and more scared, I think that senior spots need to be earnt and respected more and I hate seeing senior games just given away. The other pleasing facet to the 2nds is that the under 18's and seniors both get a massive thrill watching them win, it is great going into the rooms to get ready to play 1's footy when you watch your 2's winning.
Our under 18's couldn't be in better hands with Andy Greenall as coach. Andy has had some fantastic coaches in his near 400 game career and to have a guy with his football background bringing such rich talent into senior football, we know these kids will be ready when it's there turn. We had 7 kids play senior football with Dylan Troutman, Patty Rosier playing nearly every game including grand final, Blake Walter who was a little unlucky not to play in it, Declan Fitzgerald who we won't see with TAC next year, Josh Wallace a first year 18, Tom Dawson who excelled in his 3 games and Luke Van Lierop.
This group along with Owen Masters, Callum Beattie, Callum Eade and many more will be the makings of a fantastic group of players in years to come.
The best feature is that we are 1 club, we don't separate training, we socialise together and apart from Saturdays, everything is done as 1 group. I would think I had to be the proudest person on the planet grand final night watching 70 odd players and officials out in the middle of the oval singing the club song arm in arm. Nearly 70 grand final medallions, 3 cups and hundreds of proud and jubilant supporters.
The support crews this year were also a feature with KB who has been a great help just by listening to me a couple of times a week and offering advice and Heath jumping on board in the 1's and making my life so much easier, David Kooy as runner, Wizza and Bruce as mentioned earlier, the water carriers and Hank who organises most of the match day items. In the 2's we have Mick Woods who is a previous 2's coach and a huge help to Shane Collee and in the 18's, Glenn Stevens and Peter Shauble with Smithey as runner. Other mentions were TJ and Chris Box for taking training groups during the year, Noel King and David Quinn for the fantastic pre-final and Grand final talks.
All parents and partners, the players need all the support they can get and your support really helps.
I am sure I have missed people and sorry if it was you.
We are proud to be part of such a big day and I would think that the YVMDFL have never seen a day any bigger. The club was really up against it and I believe we stood tall against an opposition that had captured the nations hearts. For our young group to cocoon themselves while still lapping up the excitement and atmosphere of such a big day will surely hold them in great stead when times of pressure are once again applied. They came out better people for the experience and they certainly can take this into 1st division next year.
I am really proud of all involved and we should never forget the year we have just had. The reunion will be for three teams, that will be a day to look forward to.
Go Bloods!
Mick Scott
Senior Coach
Last Modified on 18/09/2009 15:40