Tullamarine president Peter Labbad reveals players played for free in 2019
While there has been plenty of talk about Tullamarine’s grand final defeats in recent years, president Peter Labbad has declared the EDFL club “overachieve for what we’ve got”.
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Tullamarine president Peter Labbad describes his club as “blue collar”.
He concedes the Demons should have won “one or two” grand finals in recent years.
They have qualified for EDFL Division 1 finals in the past seven seasons, finishing runners-up in 2014, ’16 and ‘18 and dropping three preliminary finals.
There’s no silverware in the trophy cabinet, but few clubs would scoff at such a record, especially considering the introduction of the player points system and salary cap.
While much has been made of Tullamarine’s inability to get the job done on the big stage, Labbad said it continues to punch above its weight.
He pointed to a limited player budget — Labbad revealed some key members of the senior side played for free in 2019 — and a junior base desperately in need of numbers.
But the Demons have an air of stability with the likes of Anthony Liberatore, Anthony Prestia, Tim Barresi, Brad Allen, Steve Vocale, Oliver Klemm, Dean Bartrop, Adam Bartrop, Cameron Hare, Jack Burns, Tim Matson, Joel Bonnici, Will Becker, Blair Cronin, Adam Scott and Daniel Devine recommitting for next season.
They rarely lose too many players and have re-signed coach David Connell for the next two years.
“We overachieve for what we’ve got, and I think that’s down to a good culture,” Labbad said.
“If the culture can hold for the next five, six, seven years, and these kids stay, I think Tullamarine could be in A grade and possibly play some decent footy in A grade.
“Every year our spectators get to watch us in a finals series.
“We’re not sitting on the bottom with no one buying over the bar.
“It’s healthy from that perspective, but grand final (wins) have eluded us.
But Labbad noted the Demons were not yet ready to compete against the elite in Premier Division despite a sustained run of finals appearances.
While the capacity to bolster the senior squad and junior numbers are the leading hurdles, the senior group will have an influx of under-19 players next year as Connell looks to inject more pace into his team.
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Teenage defender Matson was one of the positives of 2019, taking down some of the competition’s best forwards and earning selection in the Division 1 Team of the Year.
There are more bright prospects coming through, including Dylan Watts, Matthew Watts, Lleyton Oden and Liam Montrose.
But the pick of the bunch is Jarrod Stephens, who played one senior game this season. Labbad predicted he would develop into “a champion EDFL player”.
The Demons are acutely aware their future relies on the next wave of talent, with seven under-19s securing senior contracts so far.
There was no hesitation to lock away Connell, who has been in charge for two seasons, with Labbad heaping praise on his experienced coach.
“A lot of people probably look at him (and ask) has he failed or has he succeeded?” he said.
“I reckon he’s succeeded.
“It’s not just what happens on the ground, but what he does off the ground.
“My cap for the boys is much lower than two or three other clubs around.
“To get to prelims and grand finals on the back of probably spending 100-110 thousand is pretty good. Everyone else who spends 110 probably finishes bottom three.”
Connell promised a shake up after Tullamarine’s 10-point preliminary final loss against East Keilor, forecasting changes to the game plan and underlining the need for more speed.
David Scott has announced his retirement, while Kane Mulvaney has moved to live in Adelaide.
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