Where there is a Will, there’s a way for Rostrevor Old Collegians ahead of division one grand final
FRESH from winning the Adelaide Footy League division one medal, Rostrevor Old Collegians captain Will O’Malley is hoping to cap of a great year with a flag against Payneham Norwood Union on Saturday.
TRAIN hard and the results will follow.
That is the mantra of Will O’Malley, who will on Saturday captain Rostrevor Old Collegians against Payneham Norwood Union in Adelaide Footy League’s division one grand final.
O’Malley, 27, this year won the Keith Sims OAM Medal as the best and fairest player in division one, picking up 29 votes.
He says hard work and dedication has allowed him to take his game to another level this season.
“I was a bit surprised to have won it,” O’Malley says.
“But I thought I had a pretty consistent year and didn’t have any injuries, so that probably helped.
“You have to work hard and train hard.
“I’ve seen a lot of talented people come to the club and not quite make it, you have to actually put the work in on the training track and off the field.
“Even though it’s amateur league, it’s of a very good standard and you can’t get away with not working hard.
“I try to be the best on the training track every week.”
Rostrevor Old Collegians finished the season two games clear at the top of the ladder and cruised through to the premiership decider after smashing Tea Tree Gulley by 76 points in their semi-final.
Payneham Norwood Union finished the season with a wet sail, and have reached the grand final from fourth spot after toppling Gullies by 17 points in the preliminary final last week.
O’Malley has played more than 100 games for ROCs and was named in this season’s Adelaide Footy League Team of the Year.
The on-baller captained ROC to its 2013 flag and would like nothing more than to add another piece of silverware to his name.
“I love being captain and I feel very proud and privileged to be captain of this great club,” O’Malley, who is a Rostrevor College old scholar, says.
“I know it’s cliche, but all I really care about is winning a grand final and then I can celebrate properly.
“My favourite place to be is at the footy club and the culture of the place is fantastic and most of us have grown up together, so it’s like a little family there.”