EDFL 2019: Westmeadows coach Grant Smith lauds Robbie Castello
Former VFL captain Robbie Castello was one of Westmeadows’ star signings over the EDFL off-season, and he has wasted no time making an impact in Division 1.
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Westmeadows coach Grant Smith has lauded the impact of skipper Robbie Castello as the EDFL Division 1 club chases its first finals appearance since 2016.
The Tigers’ off-season additions, headlined by the former Werribee VFL captain, have them well placed to challenge for the ultimate prize.
Keen watchers of the competition rate Westmeadows skipper Castello as one of the leading contenders for the Hutchison Medal after he made the move from Premier Division outfit Maribyrnong Park over summer.
He has been a force in the middle of the ground and also dangerous up forward, bagging three goals on three occasions in 2019.
Castello delivered another noteworthy performance in the Tigers’ hard-fought 18-point win over West Coburg on Saturday.
“I’ve got a bit of a man crush on him,” Smith quipped.
“For someone his size, the way he just continues to attack the ball is unbelievable.
“A lot of the boys got around him because he was getting a fair bit of attention and he just led by example.”
West Coburg premiership players Marwan Abdul-Wahad and Omar Saad were other notable recruits, while Mitch Church returned from Hillside.
Defender Ahmed Abdul-Wahed crossed from Northern Saints and Dean Clare was a mid-season addition after returning from Pascoe Vale.
“We knew we needed players and people — the different coaches we’ve brought to the club — that had played at Premier Division level and set the expectation to be at that level,” Smith said.
“When you look at Robbie and the way he prepares — he trains with our women’s team on Tuesdays on Thursdays to give them some extra support, he’ll come into the rooms after the game and serve behind the bar, he’ll sweep out the changerooms after games.
“The players see that, and they’ve all lifted.
“When you look at the stuff he does on the ground, he’s 5 foot 6 and weighs 65kg and he’s just slam-tackling ruckmen around the ground.
“Blokes see that and they feel a bit, I don’t want to say embarrassed, but that’s just the expectation that’s been set.”
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In torrid conditions, the Tigers’ six-goal-to-one opening term proved decisive in their win over the Burgers.
The visitors outscored their opponents in the second half, but Westmeadows prevailed 10.8 (68) to 7.8 (50).
Jackson Williams, Clare and Abdul-Wahed were all prominent, while Saad kicked three goals to take his season tally to 37.
“There wasn’t that much rain going around and the wind was pretty strong in the first quarter,” Smith said.
“Luckily for a change, we kicked goals instead of points, so that was nice.
“In the second quarter the rain came and we just went stoppage for stoppage to try and block it up and just held on really.
“They’re a good side, West Coburg, and I think they’re a little bit underrated. They came hard like they always do.”
Smith said little separated the competition’s top-five teams — Tullamarine, East Keilor, Craigieburn, Westmeadows and Hillside.
“I think if you look at the sort of footy those five teams can play, I think any one of them can get over the line,” he said.
“I know Tulla’s a standout at the moment, and the credit goes to DC (coach David Connell) for that, but I think we can challenge them.
“I think anyone who finishes in the finals has got a good chance of winning it.”
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