VAFA: Re-signed Whitefriars coach says flag window wide open
VAFA Division 1 outfit Whitefriars has announced its coaching panel for 2021 – and it includes an EFL premiership captain.
Local Footy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Re-signed Whitefriars coach Kristan Height says his premiership-winning side is hungry to pick up where it left off after this year’s season shutdown.
The Friars romped to the Division 2 VAFA flag in 2019 recording an undefeated campaign and were set to contest Division 1 this year before the season was abandoned.
Height said the momentum built through 2019 hadn’t halted during the break from action this year.
“When you’re winning games it’s always easier to turn back up the following year and have a go at it whether it’s up a division or not,” Height said.
“With the boys the message was we’ve got our premiership window wide open again, and regardless of who you’re playing against in what division, you’re out there to play and win premierships together as a group.
“For us it’s another opportunity where you can play as a group and win a premiership as a group.
“We were pretty keen to get that season up and going even though it was shut down twice.
“The boys are keen to get back into it because once again they want to get back together and they want to hopefully achieve that ultimate goal of winning a premiership again.”
The Friars welcomed inside-midfielder Julian Petracca from EFL Premier outfit North Ringwood for what was supposed to be season 2020, with the 2015 Mitcham premiership skipper is set to serve as a playing-assistant in 2021.
“Jules jumped on board for this season, but part of my role is not only to develop players but also people and Jules indicated that he wanted to at some stage get into coaching,” Height said.
“He’ll work with us during the week and then obviously give some feedback during games as well.”
Height is confident the list from 2020 would remain intact and with pre-season kicking off this week, the playing-coach said he’s feeling refreshed after this year’s rest.
“It gave the body an opportunity to get over constant niggles that would never go away until you retire so the body’s in the best condition it’s been probably for 20 years, so I’m ready to go and all the players are feeling the same as well that their bodies have had that opportunity to rejuvenate a bit,” he said.
MORE LOCAL FOOTY
CHAMPION EFL FORWARD JOINS CANTERBURY
Fight for equality threatens to leave players in cold
When a successful Victorian women’s footy team broke away from its club, they didn’t realise they might be left without a league to play in. The club president and league give their sides of the story.
How Swinburne Uni plans to overcome high player turnover
Swinburne University is hopeful of unearthing a “couple of gems” on the eve of the season as the Razorbacks prepare to celebrate a significant milestone in 2025. The rundown on every VAFA D3 club here.