Outer East league 2023: Woori Yallock beats Pakenham to progress to last three

Woori Yallock’s veteran coach has a few tricks up his sleeve as he plans a boilover of scalding proportions in Outer East league.

Woori Yallock coach Jack Cole. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The underdog tag sits comfortably with Woori Yallock, according to its coach Jack Cole.

It seems no one is giving the Tigers a chance against Wandin in this weekend’s Outer East league Premier division preliminary final.

But that’s just fine with Cole, who intends to use the lack of support as motivation.

“We’re in it and we’re in with a chance,” he says.

From a long way out, most had a Narre Warren-Wandin grand final pencilled in.

The sides played out a tense second semi on Saturday, with Narre prevailing by three points.

Wandin had its chances, but now must beat those underdogs, Woori, to get another crack at Narre Warren.

Woori Yallock was involved in its own gripping encounter on Saturday, beating a gallant Pakenham by 13 points in the first semi-final.

Former Seville premiership forward Josh Neal lit the Woori Yallock fuse, firing off three goals in the opening quarter, and finished with six for the afternoon in a 14.14 (98) to 12.13 (85) victory at Emerald.

Zach Monkhorst.

Woori Yallock coach Jack Cole.

Zach Monkhorst was influential in the ruck and Robbie Allen also led from the front as the Tigers roared into the prelim final.

Teenager Oscar Simpson was also among Woori’s best, along with Bailey Syswerda and Alex Marsh.

“It was an even contribution, we didn’t have anyone starring. That’s how we’ve played all year really,” Cole said.

Looking to this week, Cole is planning to lead a boilover of scalding proportions.

“It just takes a little bit of luck, who knows,” he said.

“Our good players have got to play well.

“And we have got some really good players. And our young kids are really good.”

It seems the world is against against the Tigers.

“I don’t mind that,” Cole said.

Cole has added motivation, with a loss to end his time as coach of Woori Yallock.

The club chose to look for a new coach for 2024 and 65-year-old Cole was disappointed — but realistic.

“I was a little bit surprised but that’s footy,’’ he said.

“I’ve been in this situation before. I reckon about four years at local level is about as far as you can go but because two of them were Covid years, well, I sort of put that off.

“I still love coaching. People think you’re a bit old but I think it’s irrelevant. In the US you don’t get a job until your 65. “

Cole’s coaching record speaks for itself. He’s had success Woori Yallockand before that at Healesville.

“While I’ve been up in this league I’ve coached three grand finals and four preliminaries,” he said.

Cole is not finished yet. He’s planning to steer Woori to the premiership.

“I’d love to do it, I’d love to win a flag,” he said.