EDFL 2019: Westmeadows appoints Mo Kaakour as coach

Westmeadows is in EDFL Division 1 premiership contention this year, but the club has one eye on the future and has locked in a new coach for the next three seasons.

Mo Kaakour has signed a three-year deal with Westmeadows. Picture:Rob Leeson

Westmeadows will have a new man at the helm for the next three years with Mo Kaakour putting pen to paper with the EDFL Division 1 club.

Kaakour returned to the Tigers over summer as director of coaching and will replace Grant Smith in the top job after this season.

Life member Smith has overseen the appointment and will remain involved at Westmeadows.

The Tigers, who have an 8-5 win-loss record, remain in flag contention in 2019 after claiming just three victories last season.

Grant Smith has Westmeadows in flag contention. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Robbie Castello, Marwan Abdul-Wahad, Omar Saad, Mitch Church and Ahmed Abdul-Wahed were among Westmeadows’ recruits over the off-season, with Kaakour playing a key role in attracting the signings.

The club also boasts plenty of emerging young talent, with Jordan Hollow, Aaron Evans, Tom Muscat, Jackson Williams and Cody Wight all enjoying impressive campaigns.

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“I’m very excited,” Kaakour said.

“It’s a great opportunity to work with such a young and talented list.

“I look forward to the challenge and working with such a young group and a group that wants to learn and listen.”

While Westmeadows could gain promotion to the top flight this season, Kaakour said the expectation was to move to Premier Division by the end of 2022.

The Tigers have not contested finals in the past two seasons.

“We just want to make sure we put the right processes in place,” Kaakour said.

“Our aim is to eventually play in Premier Division, (but) there’s a lot to play out before that happens and this year as well.

“We want to build on this year and see how we go going forward.”

Kaakour, who has previously held senior assistant coaching roles at Maribyrnong Park and the Tigers, has taken charge this year when Smith has been away because of work commitments.

He is hopeful that will ensure a smooth transition.

“I think the boys are starting to adapt to the game plan and structures we’ve put in place and the system we want to play,” Kaakour said.

Westmeadows have started a thorough review of their squad as they look to bolster their list on the back of an improved campaign.

“A couple of ruckmen, a couple of key backs and a couple of outside mids are so far what we’ve identified,” Kaakour said.

“Over the next couple of weeks we’ll sit down and sign as many players as we can … and then we look at what we need to bring in from there.”

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