NAB League 2021: Western Jets appoint Billy Cootee as captain

Western Jets have revealed their squad for the 2021 campaign as coach Robbie Chancellor assesses the club’s top AFL hopefuls.

Liam Conway is one of the players to watch at Western Jets. Picture: Getty Images

Eight Western Jets have steeled themselves for the NAB League season by hitting the training track with VFL clubs over summer.

Top Jets prospects Billy Cootee (Essendon), Cody Raak (Footscray), Liam Conway (Williamstown) and Harrison White (Werribee) all had the chance to experience sessions with state league sides.

Nash Reynolds, Lachlan Green, Daniel Grmusa (all Werribee) and Lucas Failli (Williamstown) also had a taste of training at a higher level.

“I’m excited to see these older guys who have had some VFL exposure to come back to NAB League and impose themselves on the competition,” Jets coach Robbie Chancellor said.

“You can get caught up in coming back to NAB League level, but I’ve really challenged them to bring what they’ve learnt and the intensity they play and train with at VFL level to the rest of our boys.

“Playing against kids or young men as opposed to grown men who are experienced and have hardened bodies, it’s a different challenge for young footballers.

“It’s certainly one you learn quickly from, and I’m excited to see what they’ve learnt.”

Essendon Doutta Stars product Cootee has been appointed skipper and Reynolds vice-captain.

Chancellor said Cootee was a “natural leader” who has the ability to kick on both sides and is versatile.

‘𝘓𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯, 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘊𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯(𝘴) 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨...’ 👨‍✈️👨‍✈️ Introducing your co-pilots for the #NABLeagueBoys 2021...

Posted by Western Jets FC on Tuesday, March 23, 2021

“I just think he’s a really well-balanced young man and he brings what you want in a captain, where the journey’s meant to be enjoyable, but at times if players need to be challenged, he’s got that in him too,” he said.

“I’m really happy for Billy. He hasn’t played a lot of footy. He didn’t play at all last year and the year before he was coming off an achilles injury and only played a handful of games.

“He can play everywhere I think.

“I’m excited just to see him play and enjoying his footy.”

Next Generation Academy member Raak was given the green light to train with the Western Bulldogs this year and will be looking to put his name up in lights.

Raak is an intercept defender and played his junior football at Caroline Springs.

Cody Raak attempts a spoil during the 2019 season. Picture: Getty Images

“He’s been really impressive in our last two intraclubs,” Chancellor said.

“We’re expecting a strong start to the year from him down back.”

Chancellor said midfielder Conway was one who had reaped enormous rewards from his time with VFL power Williamstown.

“He’s one that’s really benefited from training with senior bodies and senior players,” he said.

“He’s come back a different player I think.

“He’s put on some size, he’s 191cm, he can run and he can win his own footy. He’ll be playing as an inside mid for us, which I think is the next step for him, and I’m bullish if he can start the year well, he’s one who has the potential for higher honours.”

White played in a scratch for Werribee at the weekend and impressed against more seasoned opponents.

Former basketballer Paul Tsapatolis, who is a Category B rookie at Geelong Cats, has also been given approval to play with Jets to aid his development.

Chancellor said the Jets were set to be “full strength” for Saturday’s season opener against Calder Cannons at Highgate Reserve.

While they may lack height, they will be looking to use speed to their advantage.

“That’s the way we’ll be trying to be play, and will really encourage the guys with those attributes to take the game on and express themselves,” Chancellor said.

Saturday’s fixture will be the first NAB League boys match since the 2019 grand final.

Full Western Jets squad: Lucas Failli (Pascoe Vale), Harrison White (Werribee Districts), Riley Miksa (Hillside), Kyle Borg (Melton Bloods), Ben Mazziol (Keilor), Tate Wood (Caroline Springs), Lachlan Green (Yarraville-Seddon), Zen Christofi (Caroline Springs), Harrison Schumann (St Bernard’s), Jack Darling (Bacchus Marsh), Jaelen Pavlidis (Werribee Districts), Mace Cousins (Darley), Adam Azzopardi (Darley/ St. Patricks), Nash Reynolds (Darley), Billy Kolyniuk (Point Cook), Dylan Laurie (Caroline Springs), Riley Theo (Melton South), Ethan Acevski (Melbourne University Blues), Brodie Hicks (Altona/ Wesley College), Ethan Di Battista (Werribee Districts), Daniel Sargent (Taylors Lakes), Cody Raak (Caroline Springs), Brock Jacobsen (Keilor), Massimo D’Ambrosio (Point Cook), Simon Maiolo (Caroline Springs), Daniel Grmusa (Werribee Districts), Sam Clifford (Hoppers Crossing), Paul Curtis (Keilor), Billy Cootee (Essendon Doutta Stars), Lachlan Smith (Werribee Districts), Liam Conway (Williamstown CYMS), Cooper Mackenzie-George (Keilor), Tom Rowland (Altona), Jack Heron (Caroline Springs), Ryan Hargreaves (Keilor), Jack Bonnett (Werribee Districts), Malik Elfakahani (West Preston), Lachlan Grima (Werribee Districts), Joshua Kuppen (Point Cook), Zachary Pritchard (Yarraville-Seddon), Cameron Rains (Spotswood), Aidan Williams (Williamstown CYMS), Zayne Galea (Williamstown CYMS), Tane Roordink (Williamstown CYMS), Nathan Dowdy (Melton Bloods), Paul Tsapatolis (Geelong Cats), Colby Redpath (Altona), Zachary Steinhoff-Pino (Keilor)