Woodville-West Torrens building a platform for SANFL success

IT is not by chance that the Eagles have soared above their SANFL rivals this season. A careful development system has brought a group of mates to the verge of greatness. Warren Partland reports.

As is common practice at after-match presentations, Woodville-West Torrens reserves coach Scott Mathews spoke a few words on the best performers in the hefty win over Central District last Saturday, as they were introduced onto stage.

Tom Schwarz was rated second best in the Woodville game after amassing a flood of possessions, as well as getting his name among the goal kickers.

As Schwarz picked his course through the tables to the dais, Mathews recalled senior coach Michael Godden’s words for the youngster before the reserves contest.

‘Go out and play like a league footballer’ was Godden’s advice.

Schwarz responded with his highly influential performance and the reward is a league game against West Adelaide in Richmond today.

“If they believe they are a league player they should absolutely dominate,’’ Godden said. “Tom did not do that 12 months ago but he does now.

“So go back to the reserves, not just to participate, but to dominate. We keep challenging the players in the reserves and we want them to be great.

“To be a good league player is the base, but we challenge them to be great. We would like to think we have a good environment.

“We have put a lot of work in the past three years to put together a system we believe in and to make sure the juniors at under 16 and 18 level are looked after and are ready for the AFL or senior SANFL football.’’

Building a future from the basement, the Eagles claimed the under 18 flags in 2012 and 2013 and were runners-up last season. The reserves have gone back-to-back with premierships in the past two years.

And after 11 rounds this season the benefits of that “good environment” have been evident.

The league side has lost just one match this season - and not since the opening round - the reserves are unbeaten after 11 games and the under 18s have been beaten only once.

That is two losses from 31 games in three grades.

Godden admits there is no secret formula and the Eagles’ approach may not work for all clubs. And while the system is working well, he believes its true value has yet to surface.

“We don’t pick reserves and under 18 teams to win, but to develop the players,’’ Godden said. “It is all about individual development.

“We lost 19 players last year, which is consistent with most clubs. Our reserves are predominantly guys from last year’s under 18 side.

“This weekend we will have probably 10 under 19s. Then guys like (Giles) Ellis are only second year out of under 18s.

“Those guys who are playing in the league side like Schwarz, (Sam) Rowland, (Nathan) Batley, they were in that first under 18 premiership side and then the reserves premiership.

“I reckon we have six players in the league side this week who played in the reserves premiership last year.’’

Godden notes many of the players are close mates because they have grown through the system together, having played under-age footy before graduating to the senior ranks. And that mateship is a key ingredient in the club’s pursuit of success.

“We want to see these young blokes, seeing players like (Matthew) Goldsworthy, Rowland, Batley, (Angus) Poole and Schwarz, playing regular league football and know we are committed to playing our own (Eagles products),’’ Godden said.

The Eagles were similarly well placed at the corresponding time last season before limping to the finish line. Godden describes it as a flop but he believes he is in control of a more mature side.

“I’m not actively doing too much, it is just more about continuing to improve and this is being part of the process for these guys for a number of years,’ he said.