WRFL 2021: Altona assembles strong squad for Division 1 season
There is set to be plenty of competition for spots at WRFL Division 1 club Altona this year as it looks to go one better.
Western
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Altona coach Corey McCall is bursting with enthusiasm more than most.
McCall replaced Saade Ghazi as coach of the Western Region Football League Division 1 club after the 2019 campaign.
He has led the club in only one practice match, watched over countless training sessions and worked diligently to build a squad capable of going one better this season after a painful grand final loss two years ago.
While anticipation is high across the state after a cancelled season, the Vikings have a long list of reasons to be optimistic about what the coming months could hold.
“I got to the club in the 2019 pre-season and now it’s 2021, and I’ve coached one practice game,” McCall said.
“We were doing some really good things (before the 2020 season was cancelled) and with our momentum, training and our numbers … we were very excited about what we were going to bring.
“We had a new game plan, players coming back and had recruited well … but I’m obviously excited to get the players out on the park and play some footy.
“I can’t wait myself, it seems like it’s been forever.”
Former AFL player and WRFL champion Jayden Post and VFL premiership player Sean Tighe have re-signed with the club, putting the seal on a successful off-season.
Since the 2019 decider, Altona has secured Mitch Van Den Berg, Josh Bench and Michael Giles, while Mitch Norton will be full-time after calling time on his VFL career with Williamstown.
Jack Robinson and Billy Ward have also returned to the club to bolster the depth.
2020 recruit Chris Giampaolo (Redan) and Lee Spiteri (Barwon Heads) are the only departures of note in recent months.
“Most clubs would be happy to retain 95-plus per cent of their list, so we’re in a really good spot,” McCall said.
“Most of the guys have really bought in to the pre-season, bought in to what we were doing as coaches.
“It’s good to have them all commit early.
“We did recruit well in 2019. We filled some of the holes we felt we needed to.
“We also think we’ve got a lot of young talent at the football club and coming through the under-18s … the future’s in good hands as well.
“There’s going to be some great opportunity for the young players to get some senior footy in as well.”
McCall said some players will be tested in fresh roles as the Vikings look to become a well-rounded side.
They finished minor premier in 2019 before suffering a three-point loss to powerhouse Deer Park in the grand final.
But after a season off and with a new coach and eager senior squad, Altona is not dwelling on that missed opportunity.
“2019 seems so long ago now … at some stage some of the disappointment of 2019 will be discussed, but having a year of no footy has made that a little bit different,” McCall said.
“It’s no longer the driving (motivation) for the club to compete just for (a premiership).”
The Vikings will host Point Cook in Round 1 on April 10.
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