NFL 2019: West Preston-Lakeside secures premiership heroes
ALMOST every member of West Preston-Lakeside’s premiership team has recommitted for 2019 as the club eyes back-to-back Northern Football League flags for the first time in its history.
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ALMOST every member of West Preston-Lakeside’s premiership team has recommitted for 2019 as the club eyes back-to-back Northern Football League flags for the first time in its history.
The Roosters have been focused on retention since their Division 1 grand final triumph over Macleod, re-signing a host of their premiership heroes for another tilt at glory.
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“We are pretty happy with the group we have got and what we were able to achieve this year and the talent,” coach Rob Maiorana said.
On-baller Ozgur Uysal, VFL-listed ruckman Matthew Harman, Max Dreher, Daniel Costanzo and Nick Robortella missed the club’s nine-poibt win over the Roos, emphasising the club’s depth.
“There’s 4-5 there already that are on our list that didn’t play much with us,” Maiorana said.
“There’s already some improvement within the list without having to go outside.”
Northern Knights best and fairest Josh D’Intinosante has crossed to Moore Park from South Morang, but will be unavailable for most next season due to TAC Cup duties.
West Preston-Lakeside is otherwise unlikely to recruit heavily, however Maiorana said the club had been in talks with “a few people”.
“I think there was 15-16 (players) 22 or under, 13 of those (grand final) 22 were local players through the junior ranks of the club and there were six father-sons,” he said.
“It all bodes well for what we are trying to build. We don’t want to move too far away from what we are about.”
The Roosters coach said his side would need to be mentally prepared to be “the hunted” next season.
“If the guys want to work as hard as they did in 2018, if they want to put the hard yards in, they’re hungry, those are the variables after a premiership win,” he said.
“My job will be to make sure they are grounded, pretty hungry and want to continue to achieve.”
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Maiorana conceded West Preston-Lakeside could lose some depth players who had chosen to pursue more senior opportunities at other clubs.
“You are going to get clubs sniffing around and making approaches. It’s good we have been able to fend that off,” he said.
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