VFL: Northern Blues general manager Len Villani sets down his vision for football in Melbourne’s north

FROM the historic grandstand at Preston City Oval, Len Villani ponders the future of football in Melbourne’s north.

Northern Blues general manager Len Villani watches over Preston City Oval. Picture: Tim Michell.

FROM the historic grandstand at Preston City Oval, Len Villani ponders the future of football in Melbourne’s north.

The 33-year-old will be a key figure in the sport’s growth in the northern suburbs after being appointed as general manager of Northern Blues in January.

Football and cricket clubs have called Preston home since 1882 and the ground has a rich history Villani is not only aware of, but wants to celebrate.

“This is our spiritual home,” he says.

The Blues are slated to play four VFL matches at Preston in 2018, against Collingwood, Port Melbourne, Williamstown and Coburg.

Villani mixes his time between Preston and Princes Park as a full-time employee of Carlton Football Club.

Len Villani was confirmed as Northern Blues general manager in January. Picture: Tim Michell.

The alignment between Carlton and its VFL counterpart will enter its 17th season in 2018, however Villani wants Northern Blues to be recognised as more than a reserves side which complements Brendon Bolton’s senior team.

“We have got a real responsibility in terms of being the elite VFL club within this northern corridor,” he said.

“That spreads far and wide. I think it makes sense in terms of the connection and synergy back to local clubs and being able to assist them in terms of offering up coaches or opportunities to come in and see what we do.

“That is part of our responsibility, to be good for football in the region and that is something that has always been underlining in my approach.

“Because ultimately it comes full circle. Together it works so much better rather than individually, I suppose, trying to push and run your own show.”

Villani offers a unique perspective on the relationship between TAC Cup and VFL clubs.

He was an employee of AFL Victoria for more than a decade, working at Calder Cannons and most recently as talent manager at Eastern Ranges.

He hopes being able to empathise with the players who have been overlooked at the draft but seek VFL opportunities will be one of his strengths.

“Initially it is probably just about managing that transition and also that disappointment which sort of goes hand-in-hand,” he said.

“Then trying to reset guys and also put some perspective. The great thing about it, and the boys know, they will get out of it as much as they put in.

“We’ll put all the resources in and around them whether it is on-field, off-field, from a coaching perspective, strength and conditioning, high performance, everything is here.

“It is as good as (any) program I have seen in that regard. It’s then the onus back on the boys to drive their own destiny and get the most out of the opportunity they have been presented with.

“The empathy and understanding I have in terms of the TAC Cup and how that works and ties into the next level, I think holds you in good stead to be able to have those conversations.”

Len Villani was formerly AFL Victoria’s north west region manager. Picture: Dennis Manktelow.

Villani was football manager at Calder Cannons when the club triumphed in the 2007 TAC Cup grand final.

Two of his fellow Carlton employees, chief executive Cain Liddle and list manager Michael Agresta, were assistant coaches of the Calder team which trounced Murray Bushrangers by 50 points.

Agresta was confirmed in his new role 11 days after Villani was unveiled as Northern Blues general manager, while Liddle took on the top job in November.

After almost 11 years, the trio’s careers collided again in a matter of months.

“It’s funny how it goes full circle,” Villani said.

Villani’s office at Preston City Oval is modest, with little more than a desk and the computer on which he will confirm many of the decisions which will shape Northern Blues’ future.

The Diamond Creek resident grew up in the northern suburbs, played junior football for Eltham and featured in the VAFA for Old Paradians as recently as 2014.

He describes himself as a player who was “competitive enough and knew where to find it”.

“Not necessarily a great athlete, (but) I love that connection back to local,” he said.

“That’s where everyone cuts their teeth and learns. Footy clubs are amazing places.

“Sometimes they get underestimated in terms of what they do for people and do for their communities.”

Josh Fraser will coach Northern Blues for a third season in 2018. Picture: Kylie Else.

His grand vision is to establish Northern Blues as “the VFL destination club”, attracting the top TAC Cup talent who have missed out on being drafted and premier community footballers intent on testing themselves in the state league.

“We are very much driven by having some on-field success which we have been starved of over the last 5-6 years,” he said.

“I know we were really close last year, in particular at the start of the year, then we dropped away.

“I am confident the nucleus of the playing group this year and the players we have been able to bring in over the summer, are going to be very good VFL players and have a great contribution to a successful season.”