Laverton take big steps forward in 2023
Laverton has taken major strides forward in 2023 and is continuing to build. We go inside the club’s turnaround ahead of a big celebration next year.
Western
Don't miss out on the headlines from Western. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Laverton knows it’s heading in the right direction under Tony Jofre.
The Western Region league club feels it is ready to put some of the most difficult years in the club’s history behind it and rise up the ladder.
They might have won just three games in 2023, the Magpies haven’t won more than that many in a season since 2018, but there’s plenty of proof they’ve made major inroads.
While results are important, it’s all about the club’s long-term sustainability according to Jofre.
“There has been plenty of positives this year, compared to when I came in at the start of last season, we’ve made a lot of changes,” he said.
“We’ve put a game plan in place and it has taken some time to learn that. Over the last off-season, we made a few changes and brought a lot of new guys into the club.
“It wasn’t just about bringing anyone in, it was about bringing in the right people as well. I’m not going to say it hasn’t been a challenge because it has.
“But when you see it all coming together, you are quite happy.
“The club celebrates its 100th year next year and we want to be moving in the right direction to celebrate that in the right way.”
New faces including Ubil Chol, who has been in the best in eight out of his side’s nine games, have underlined the improvement of Laverton.
Matt Vorbach, one of the headline recruits of the off-season, is the equal leading goalkicker for the Magpies and has provided class to the club’s engine room.
Ayang Nyanjok has also won plenty of praise while big man Antony Pasqua has caused plenty of headaches for opposition coaches.
“These guys have all come in and added to what we’re trying to do,” Jofre said.
“Ubil is a very talented player, super dedicated. He’s extremely fit.”
With the new recruits impressing it has allowed the likes of Jordan Viojo to take their game to another level.
Captain Dejan Samoukovic continues to lead proudly and remains one of the first names on the team sheet.
“He’s seen some dark days and can now see some light at the end of the tunnel,” Jofre said of his skipper.
“He leads by example and the boys follow him.”
Laverton’s improvement in its first nine games of 2023 were underlined with a shock five-point win over Sunshine Heights last weekend.
Heights smashed the Magpies by 139 points when they met in Round 3.
“It was a real morale booster and proved we’re on the right track,” Jofre said.
“We’ll keep building on the game plan in the second half of the year and see where it takes us.”
Why historic premiership is a glimpse into Sunshine’s future
Sunshine broke through for its first senior premiership in the WFNL on Saturday but a day of dominance proves why the future's so bright for the club.
What attracted Ghazi to the Bulldogs
A refreshed Saade Ghazi is ready for his next coaching challenge after being unveiled as the new man in charge at Point Cook. He reveals what attracted him to the role.