WRFL: Glen Orden coach Phil Crea reveals Division 2 club’s lofty ambitions
Glen Orden hoisted last year’s WRFL Division 3 premiership after a testing period. Now the Hawks are aiming even higher as they rebuild on and off field.
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Glen Orden will not deviate from its dedication to youth in 2021 as the Western Region Football League club eyes a bright future.
The Hawks were forced into recess in 2017 but rebounded swiftly to claim last year’s Division 3 flag.
Reappointed premiership coach Phil Crea said Glen Orden was in a strong position off the ground despite the coronavirus crisis as it prepares to compete in Division 2 next year.
And Crea boldly declared the Hawks harboured ambitions of a return to the top flight.
They have competed in all three senior grades in the past decade, suffering relegation from Division 1 in 2011 before winning the 2013 Division 2 premiership.
“Our club’s in probably the best position we’ve been in in the club’s history financially,” Crea said.
“President Peter MacDonald has done an enormous job from where the club was three years ago.
“But in saying that, there’s still a lot of work to do to make sure the club is still viable, and when we hopefully go up to A grade, we can financially back it up.
“You play football to challenge yourself and going up to A grade and being competitive, that’s got to be one of your targets.”
Crea said Glen Orden was set to land “four or five” new players in coming months to boost its prospects in Division 2.
But he said the club would remain focused on the long-term, with 2019 Division 3 Team of the Year member Kur Kur, Aaron Law, Soni Rainbow and Daniel Rosenzweig among those to re-commit.
Premiership skipper Michael Giles has crossed to Altona, while Matthew Hayes has moved to Albanvale.
“We still want to rebuild the club, so we’ve targeted the young blokes to sign them on,” Crea said.
“We still want to keep our young talent and build from there. That’s the key.
“You’re not going to rebuild in two years, so you’ve got to keep faith with your young blokes and still pick up young blokes.
“We want to keep getting young people so we can build a strong list for the club to be a force for five, 10 years.”
Crea said he was hopeful the extra time off would benefit the Hawks.
“I think after winning a flag blokes tend to have, and I hate to say it, that premiership hangover,” he said.
“We need to get out of our comfort zone and show our full potential.
“We’ll keep targeting young blokes that want to play the game and love the game.”
Crea said it was a straightforward decision to re-sign after leading the club out of the third tier.
“I just think we’ve got unfinished business still,” he said.
“Going up a grade, you need the stability to stay up for a few years.
“I didn’t want to walk away without giving it a good crack.”
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