Coaches Corner

Coaches Report “A” Grade 2008

Well, when it’s not meant to be it’s not meant be.  This sums up our season unfortunately. After losing the first 3 games of the year we have been chasing our tails throughout the whole season and we got to the last game needing a win to snare the 5th spot on the table and grab a finals chance.

Typical of our year when a massive game was needed we really struggled to get our game going and ended up losing quite convincingly to Mt Barker who finished 3rd. So for the first time in 9 years we didn’t take part in the finals which was a massive shame, but we just never got ahead this season, we were always battling away to try and catch the teams above. I must say though I have no hesitation in saying the competition this year was as strong as I have seen it in a very long time, and we really couldn’t afford to have injuries and poor form and still expect to be there at the business end.

As a club though the signs are still very positive with another crop of quality young players have had a very good season and really the players should be proud of there fighting spirit in keeping the dream alive right to the very end. We beat 3 of the top 5 teams throughout the season and really had some good wins.

Some players who really had good seasons were Young Mason Angove, who really took the ball by the horns and had a great season in the ruck. Jarrod Smith, Josh Contin and Stephen Tanner were consistent in their midfield roles this year and first year player Josh Russell who joined us from Meadows really was a shining light and was one of the best key defenders in the competition this year. Chris Shee took the forward line key position spot with Blake Norton doing his knee in round 1.  Chris really gave his all in every game this year. Young players Damian Green and Ben Pfeiffer took another step toward being the quality A Grade players they should be and really have set a platform for bigger and better things in 2009. New recruits and brothers Shaun and Brendon Smith were not only great assets as players but just wonderful guys who have added so much to our football club, and will be a major asset to the club in getting the results it deserves in 2009.

Well done to the B grade boys who did make the finals and won the first final but fell at the next hurdle, but did really enjoy some great success in 2008 and showed some real good signs for the club in going forward. Also big congratulations to Tommy (Kyle) Higginson in winning the B Grade Mail Medal. A massive effort to him and was good to see.

In closing I must say thank you to Onka Valley Football Club.  It is always a pleasure to coach your home football club, but I have made the decision to not continue in my role as head coach. It is something I have been thinking about for a while, but I feel as though I need a new challenge and I’m sure the club will thrive in getting a new face to lead for the upcoming seasons also. I think it will be a win-win for both parties and I will always be an Onkas man, but just from another spot on the fence now. Not sure what the future holds for me at the moment, but I feel as though if a break is in line it may not be a bad thing either.

Well done and a big thanks to Kaaren and the team from Raine and Horne for their constant support with the website and updating, you have done an awesome job.

Thanks to everyone for their support in 2008.  We are all disappointed in the final result but still can be proud that we did everything possible to get the best result.

Good luck to Onkas in 2009

Ex Coach Collo..