Season in review: Whittlesea’s gang of youths shows bright future

SEASON REVIEW: A pair of young guns are on the VFL radar after Whittlesea fast-tracked some exciting talent on its return to NFL Division 1.

Zach Molloy in action for Whittlesea. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Stunning seasons by Whittlesea young guns Blake Watson and Zach Molloy could earn them VFL deals next season.

Watson, 20, became a key midfielder for the Eagles this year while Molloy, 19, took on and beat some of the best forwards in the competition.

Northern Bullants are expected to invite Watson to pre-season training while Molloy is reportedly gaining some attention from Richmond.

Whittlesea’s youth was a shining light in a tough return to NFL Division 1 that only netted two wins but was enough to ensure survival ahead of Northcote Park.

The likes of Watson, Molloy, Lachie Beattie, Taidhg Bland and Blake Fitzgerald were all key contributors in 2021.

Eagles coach Blair Harvey was thrilled with the progress his players had made in trying circumstances this season.

“Because of injuries earlier in the year some young guys got opportunities and three or four have become senior footballers,” he said.

“The growth from within is great because we’ve had four or five fast-tracked this year and will fill spots next year that we don’t need to recruit for now.

“I think Zac and Blake, (the best-and-fairest) could go either way, Blake turned 20 during the year and Zach turned 19.

“We were so proud of those two to stand up in first division, especially Zach, Sam Lloyd got hold of him and kicked eight and to Zach’s credit he copped it on the chin and kept Sam goalless the second time, Shane Harvey to one and Ahmed Saad to three.

“Zach and Blake are so easy to coach, they’re two unbelievable young men who’s best football is still to come.”

While two wins doesn’t look great in black and white, the results came against then undefeated ladder-leader North Heidelberg and finals contender Montmorency.

The Eagles didn’t get to play winless wooden spooner Northcote Park or eighth-placed Hurstbridge at all.

“We won two games against sides that would have played finals and then there was the West Preston game and Bundoora game that were under three goals,” Harvey said.

“We didn’t get to play Northcote Park or Hurstbridge twice, if we had have played those two teams twice we would have fancied our chances of five or six wins – which is a pass mark.

Nathan Andrews in action for Whittlesea. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“When we beat Montmorency it was the best team we’d put on the park all year and we thought we could build some momentum in the last four or five games, unfortunately the season got shutdown.”

Whittlesea used 36 players in 2021 with only five featuring in all 12 matches.

Reigning joint best-and-fairest winner Matt Atta was restricted to just two appearances by injury while key off-season recruit Cam Barrett departed after only four matches due to a family issue.

One position Harvey believes his team will have to recruit for one critical position, despite the starring role Jake Wild played this year.

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“Getting a ruckman will be a big focus for us and we know we struggled to kick some decent scores, so finding one or two forwards,” he said.

“Jake Wild is 6’2, he played in the ruck and was unbelievable for a guy his size. It was massive for us.

“He held his own, there’s no doubt about it, and he relished the opportunity to play in the ruck. We were rapt with his output.”

Harvey and inspirational skipper Xavier Dimasi have both re-signed for 2022 as the Eagles look to cement themselves in the top flight.