Hoppers Crossing set for a new challenge under Adam Contessa

There might be big outs at Hoppers Crossing ahead of the 2023 season but a “core group” still has the Warriors poised for a finals push according to new coach Adam Contessa.

There has been plenty of talk around Hoppers Crossing throughout the off-season.

But now the Warriors have the opportunity to let their footy do the talking.

Under new coach Adam Contessa, Hoppers will welcome Point Cook to Hogans Road Reserve on Good Friday to kick start the Western Region league season.

And it will be the first chance for the next generation of Warriors young guns to “stake their claim” according to Contessa.

The Warriors playing list has undergone a significant restructure in the off-season with a number of key senior players moving on.

They include Bilal Chehade (Newport), Brandon Houlihan (Central Murray league), Jack Dorgan (Deer Park), Khaled Jawad (Newport), Nicholas Sing (VAFA) and Ryley McGaw (Wyndhamvale) who all played at senior level last season.

Meanwhile young guns Ezzat Haddara (Newport) and Lukmain Haddara (Point Cook Centrals) have seen their clearance requests denied on the eve of the season.

Josh Pickess has re-signed with the Warriors but is also spending time at VFL level with Williamstown where he will be joined by the club’s new recruit Jason Pongracic.

Throughout the off-season, the Warriors also put a call out for players but Contessa asserted that was to help build numbers on the list and not out of desperation.

Liam McMahon will again lead the Warriors. Local Legends Photography

“A lot of other clubs have seen numbers drop off in their reserves post-Covid and we’re no different,” he said.

“People probably read into that a little bit too much. There is going to be opportunities for our younger guys to stake their claim and become an important part of our 22.

“These are guys who might have only played a handful of senior games. There’s a core group who won an under-18 flag in 2019 and they’re getting another good crack at senior footy this year.”

Liam McMahon is set to play an important role for Hoppers throughout the season, again named captain of his junior club.

Contessa said he had been impressed with McMahon since his appointment as coach.

“He’s been the clear standout,” he said.

“He’s been fantastic in helping drive pre-season and help set the standard for where we want to go as a group. We’ll have some of our younger guys really stand up and develop their own leadership qualities throughout the years.”

The Warriors 2022 season ended in disappointment after falling to arch rivals Werribee Districts in the elimination final.

And with a new look eight-team competition, Contessa admits it’s a bit of an unknown of what lays ahead.

“Having an eight-team competition, changes the landscape of everything,” he said.

“We know the fixtures but we don’t know where each side sits. Some clubs have recruited well and Point Cook is one of those so it will be an excellent test for us first up.

“We’ll play some sides twice and others three times but I don’t think we’ll know whether they’re the strong or weaker sides.”

Friday’s game is set to get underway from 2.15pm.