VAFA: South Melbourne Districts ready to thrive
South Melbourne Districts coach Nick Abbott likens the VAFA to the English lower soccer leagues due to the difficulty in moving through the grades. But he’s confident his side can overcome the loss of key players this season.
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SOUTH MELBOURNE DISTRICTS
With the loss of some key players, new opportunity is set to emerge at South Melbourne Districts in season 2025.
The Bloods went down to Brunswick in last year’s Division 2 preliminary final and in the process avoided the chance to move into Division 1.
But coach Nick Abbott has faith his side can push towards the upper reaches of the ladder again.
“We’re going alright. One thing about our footy club is we win more games than we lose,” Abbott said.
“We’ve got a really strong culture. The VAFA is a lot like the lower leagues of English soccer, the lower grades are the hardest to get out of.
“We’ve had two opportunities the last couple of years and we learn from those games. You go again.”
Abbott said he saw this year as another opportunity for Districts’ young group to continue their upwards trajectory.
“We’re continuing to develop and some new faces have come to training,” he said.
“Unfortunately we’ve lost some players to high levels and money, so we can’t add but we can replace.”
Among the departures is exciting forward Jamie Brooker who has joined De La Salle following their promotion to Premier.
While it leaves a 45-goal gap in the forward line, Abbott is pleased to see Brooker testing himself at a higher level.
“We were able to keep him the last couple of years when he had some big offers on the table,” Abbott said.
“I can’t wait to see how he goes up there, I hope he makes the most of his opportunities.
“The door is always open for him.”
Other names to depart include Aris Moustakas, Jess Mildenhall and Max Collier.
South Melbourne Districts opens its season away to Old Yarra Cobras.
The club currently trains on Monday and Thursday nights with details available on social media channels.
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