EDFL: Clayton Rogers prepares to celebrate game 400

Airport West coach Trent Rogers says there were plenty of positives to take from his side’s season opener despite losing to Keilor with the Eagles finishing the day with 17 players.

It might have been a tough re-introduction to Premier Division footy but Airport West has a lot to take away from its opening round loss to Keilor.

The Eagles were soundly beaten 23.12 (150) to 6.6 (42).

But coach Trent Rogers is looking for the positives after the second half turned into a nightmare on the scoreboard and the injury front.

Airport West finished the game with just 17 players on the field.

“There were plenty of learnings for us from the weekend, even about halfway through the third we thought we were doing well, down by about six goals and giving a good account of ourselves,” Rogers said.

“Then we lost Billy Drake to concussion, he was playing a very good game first up. Then we lost another two of our midfielders. When that happened another guy was on the bench getting cramp rubbed out.

“In the last quarter as they started to kick away, we asked whether it was worth putting some of those guys back out on the ground. We had to look at the long-term approach and not just 30 minutes of footy.”

Among the positives for the Eagles were the performances of Charlie Di Stefano and Ned Gentile.

Di Stefano arrived at the club throughout pre-season from the Goulburn Valley while Gentile was in his first game as captain.

“I was really impressed with Charlie,” Rogers said.

“His first three quarters were really good and then he eventually succumb to cramp. To his credit he did try and give us a rotation to give his teammates a rest.

“Ned was really classy as he always is, he’s taken on more responsibility this year and already looks like he’s enjoying it.”

For Rogers, there were a number of key lessons to take away.

“Premier Division is a lot quicker, we won’t get away with those slight hesitations we might have before,” he said.

“The good sides are going to put you away if you give them an opportunity, which Keilor did.

“But we showed a lot of promising signs for us to work with going forward.”

ROGERS TO CELEBRATE 400-GAME MILESTONE

Not many players can enjoy the celebrations in the space of two games Clayton Rogers will on Saturday.

When he takes to the field in Airport West’s clash with Keilor in the Essendon District league on Saturday he will celebrate his 400th senior outing.

Game 399, last September, was a premiership victory that secured the Eagles’ place back in the Premier Division.

The standout defender could have walked away from the club after a decade but he’s back for another crack, alongside his great mate Brendan Godden.

“The enjoyment of being around the club,” Rogers said when asked what keeps him coming back.

“It’s the people. When I first came to the club back in 2012, they were brilliant. I remember leaving the first night of training and just thinking it all felt right.

“Everything was easy in terms of settling into a new environment. Every year Brendan and I have the same chat about whether we’re going again and we just look at each other and it’s almost yes straight away.

“He’s fit as a fiddle, he’ll be another important player for us this year.”

Clayton Rogers for Airport West Picture: Richard Serong

Rogers senior journey started as a 17-year-old with Trafalgar in the Mid Gippsland league, where he went onto play 88 games and kick 137 goals.

A spell at Wallan in the Diamond Valley league (now Northern) followed before he eventually settled for five seasons with Bundoora where he was a premiership player in 2011.

Rogers eventually settled at the Nest and has since gone onto play 169 games, be a three-time premiership player, be named the club’s player of the decade for 2011-20 and earn selection in team of the year.

“I’ve played based on where I’ve lived and it just happened that I settled at Airport West for a long time,” he said.

“I’ve had some injuries that have stifled me a bit but getting to 400 games is pretty special.”

Clayton Rogers flies high for the mark.

Clayton Rogers during his Bundoora days.

In 2015, Rogers tried his hand as a senior coach but admits it was one of the toughest challenges of his career, leading a top division side.

Airport West saw a large list turnover at the end of the 2014 season.

“It was tough, very tough,” Rogers called.

“We had some pretty big exits and it was a chance for the club to rebuild itself.

“I found it tough trying to balance playing and coaching. It’s a massive challenge these days especially at the level we’re playing at.”

While he might be the elder statesmen of the Eagles back six, he admits the “brilliant young blokes” do keep him on his toes.

But they keep him coming back.

“Watching guys like Lachlan Di Sebastiano and Ronald Hackney grow into the players they are has been a privilege. They bring a lot of energy to our group.

“The last time we were up in Premier Division it was a bit of a battle but I feel like we’re much more ready this time. We’ve got a fantastic list and want to really challenge ourselves.”

Airport West will do battle with Keilor at Hansen Reserve from 2.15pm.