AFL Outer-East: Upwey Tecoma looks to take the next step after peaking too early in 2018
New Upwey Tecoma senior coach David Bell reckons the Tigers peaked too early last season. After finishing a hotly-contested home-and-away season fourth, Upwey Tecoma was smashed by Healesville in the elimination final.
Local Footy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News.
New Upwey Tecoma senior coach David Bell reckons the Tigers peaked too early last season.
After finishing a hotly-contested home-and-away season fourth, Upwey Tecoma was smashed by Healesville in the elimination final.
But after solid off-season recruiting, and with continuing development of a promising young list, Bell is confident the club has the goods to go a little deeper in the inaugural season of the AFL Outer-East.
BROOKERS RECRUIT MORE AFL TALENT
JAMIE MARSHALL TAKES THE REINS AT EMERALD
BLOODS MUST CONTROL THE CONTROLLABLES
LAST YEAR: THE TIGERS WERE A GAME CLEAR AT THE TOP
“I feel that if the grand final had been in round 14, we would have been home,” he said.
“We beat (eventual premiers) Wandin by 12 goals in about round 8, we were peaking. But then we got some injuries.
“We’d beaten everyone else in the top five, but then they (Wandin) got a wriggle on.”
Bell, a longtime Upwey Tecoma junior and senior before he moved away for stints at VFL’s Casey and EFL Division 1 club Montrose, returned to the Tigers den last season as an assistant to Liam Burke.
It’s fair to say the place has changed a bit during his time away.
“I never planned on it,” he said of his return. “I just fell into it.
“The last year I played (with the club) was in 2011 so, as you can imagine, the list has changed a bit and most of my mates (from his playing days) have moved away.”
After a season as a playing assistant-coach, Bell will remain an onfield leader and to that end the experienced Brad Neil, who’s spent time at EFL powerhouses Vermont and Balwyn as well as with VFL’s Box Hill, will keep an eye on things as an off-field assistant.
Burke has moved to Queensland for a senior coaching role with Labrador while there have been a number of retirements but Bell is confident the Tigers’ busy off-season recruiting has filled those gaps and then some.
Versatile Emerald star Lachlan Sheppard, who has SANFL experience with Woodville-West Torrens under his built, has come on board as has Rowville’s Travis Pears and South Croydon premiership player Pierce Rooney.
The St John’s (VAFA) pair of Matthew Nicholson and Glenn Costas will move to Chosen Ave while a number of former Tigers, including Tom Robinson, will pull on the jumper after time away.
Bell said he was acutely aware of the pressure that falls on key forward Dan Waters every week, the Tigers sharpshooter bagging 84 goals last season, but he felt the club had signed plenty of support up forward with Sam Waters, Robinson, Sheppard, Costas and Bell himself all capable of kicking goals and spreading the load.
After playing in the AFL Yarra Ranges’ interleague clash with the South-East Football Netball League last season, Bell has first-hand experience of just what quality the new clubs will bring to the table.
“We were well aware that you were never too far away in the old AFL Yarra Ranges,” he said. “But now we are well aware there’s new teams coming in and that adds a whole new dimension.
“You’ll need more consistency and the boys will be backing up week in, week out.
“I think it will be a very good competition.”
Upwey Tecoma will start its AFL Outer-East Premier season with an elimination final rematch at Healesville on Saturday, April 13.
KILSYTH TURNS TO YOUTH AFTER KEY DEPARTURES
BORONIA PREMIERSHIP STAR EARNS VFL DEAL WITH BOROUGH
‘Fire in the belly’: New Chirnside Park coach’s call to players
The bitter disappointment of a straight-sets Division 4 finals exit will drive new Chirnside Park coach Justin Ficorilli and his group this off-season. And there’s already been a key signing ...
‘A-grade quality’: How new coach plans to build Bentleigh
New Bentleigh coach Jack Jess is on a mission to reshape the Demons’ fortunes and believes their pursuit for top-line talent will “change our story dramatically”.