VAFA: Coach explains why Westbourne Grammarians can climb the grades
First-year coach Brett Kennerley did not get the opportunity to showcase what Westbourne Grammarians were capable of this season. But he has high hopes for the future, declaring the senior group the best he has had at his disposal.
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Coach Brett Kennerley says the future is bright at Westbourne Grammarians.
Kennerley, who was set for his first-year in charge, said the VAFA Division 3 outfit boasted an “exceptional culture”.
He also reckons the squad at his disposal was the best he’d had at senior level after stints at North Sunshine and Northern Saints.
But the optimism bursting out of the Truganina club is on hold until next year after the season was cancelled amid the coronavirus crisis.
“I think it’s a group that could play some really significant footy one or two levels higher quite comfortably,” Kennerley said.
“It’s definitely a good group – we’ve just got to make sure we can maintain it.
“There are some guys who are definitely from a much higher class than what we were playing, with no disrespect to the people we’re playing or the guys they’re playing with.
“We think we would have done fairly well, certainly lifted it up a level or two from the years gone by.
“It’s unfortunate, but you can’t look backwards.”
Kennerley has started the process of keeping his list intact for next year and is confident most players will remain.
He is yet to be reappointed but is keen to take on the top job again as the club looks to climb the grades.
The Warriors recruited strongly over summer, with experienced Northern Saints pair Tamer Abdallah and Eliot Kako following Kennerley to the club.
Both were best-and-fairest winners at the Saints and brought valuable experience.
“Tamer is obviously a quality player and he leads more by example than anything else,” Kennerley said.
“To have a guy like that around the group was certainly handy. He’s done a hell of a lot in football locally and he was able to impart a fair bit of his wisdom and knowledge on to the guys, which was good.
“Eliot doesn’t say a lot, but he’s another one that leads by actions.
“He’s a bit of a force to be reckoned with … he always raises the confidence levels of the guys when he’s in and amongst it.
“He’s a ripping bloke, too, but he doesn’t say much.”
Westbourne Grammarians lost Adam Rompel on the eve of the season as the skipper underwent brain surgery.
“Hopefully we can get him back, if he’s able to play footy again at the same level,” Kennerley said.
“It was a bit heartbreaking when we found out he had that issue. It would be good to have him back.”
Kennerley said Westbourne Grammarians hoped to resume training soon when restrictions ease, while he is also eyeing some “non-combative games against rival clubs”.
The Warriors were competitive in 2019, finishing fifth with a 7-7 win-loss record.
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