NFL 2019: West Preston-Lakeside ruckman Mark Kovacevic out to build on dominant grand final
Buoyed by a breakthrough finals series, West Preston-Lakeside ruckman Mark Kovacevic will be out to establish himself as one of the Northern Football League’s premier ruckmen this year.
Local Footy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Buoyed by a breakthrough finals series, West Preston-Lakeside ruckman Mark Kovacevic will be out to establish himself as one of the Northern Football League’s premier ruckmen this year.
Kovacevic was integral to the Roosters’ grand final success and was named best afield after dominating the decider against Macleod.
OFF-SEASON HQ: LATEST COACH, PLAYER MOVES IN LOCAL FOOTY
GALLERY: THE BEST LOCAL CRICKET PICS
CRICKETERS REFLECT ON PLAYING DURING BLACK SATURDAY
FFA CUP HERO TIPPED TO TAKE NPL VICTORIA BY STORM
IS THIS AUSTRALIA’S MOST UNLUCKY CRICKET CAPTAIN?
The performance was just reward for Kovacevic’s diligence during his recovery from an ACL tear which sidelined him for about 11 months.
The 23-year-old has spurned state league offers to play full-time with West Preston-Lakeside in 2019 as the Roosters strive to become the first team in a decade to win back-to-back flags.
“I thought it would be a good opportunity to take a step back, given the success we had last year,” Kovacevic said.
“Have fun and have some more free time on my hands to pursue other interests I have, because it’s a bit harder to do that when you are playing in the TAC Cup and VFL for a long period of time.
“Whether I pursue another state league opportunity the year after is something I will decide after I get through this year.”
Kovacevic played in the TAC Cup with Calder Cannons before spending the past three seasons at Coburg.
He made his return from injury in Round 4 last year, playing 13 games in his first campaign at J.E Moore Park.
“I’ve had 12-15 games coming back from the injury, the full confidence is back and in pre-season I’ve done every session,” he said.
“Last year was littered with rehab so I didn’t really do the main training much.
“I have got full confidence in the body and mind again. I’ll be looking to build on that (grand final) performance.
“More importantly, hopefully the team has another good year and we can replicate what we did last year.”
Three-time Frank Rosbrook medallist Matthew Dennis (Bundoora), former Sydney Swans rookie Kyle Galloway (Northcote Park) and Division 2 premiership captain Patrick Flynn (Lower Plenty) are among the high-calibre ruckmen Kovacevic will battle this year.
“Other clubs seem to have put an emphasis on recruiting some big ruckmen and tall players,” he said.
“The work is going to be cut out for all of us ruckmen. There’s going to be no easy games.”
Kovacevic said the Roosters were motivated to achieve the ultimate success again, a feat which has not been achieved in consecutive years since Heidelberg in 2006-2009.
“Everyone seems pretty fresh and pretty hungry to repeat the same success,” Kovacevic said. “That’s been led by the coaches. Rob (Maiorana) has been really driving us to create something special and try to go back-to-back.
“That’s been really pleasing from our point of view. Everyone is pretty hungry and no one is resting on their laurels.
“Everyone is trying to improve their game in one way or another.”
MORE LOCAL SPORT NEWS
BROTHERS SIGN ON WITH REIGNING RDFL PREMIER
CLUBS COME TOGETHER TO COMMEMORATE COMMUNITY SPIRIT
Off-season central: every RDFNL club’s recruits
The new season is just around the corner and Riddell District clubs have been busy bolstering their lists. Check out all the news recruits here.
Recruit tracker: ex-AFL talents join Northern league
OFF-SEASON CENTRAL: It’s a new year and the new local footy season is just around the corner. Check out the latest recruits at every Northern league club here.