Yarraville Glory buoyed by finish to State League 1 season
YARRAVILLE Glory defied the odds to dodge relegation from State League 1 North-West this year and coach Paul Donnelley is excited about what 2019 will hold for the club.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport . Followed categories will be added to My News.
PAUL Donnelly knew most of Yarraville Glory’s rivals had his side pencilled in for relegation when he took over as coach five days before the State League 1 North-West season kicked off.
Donnelly admits even he had his doubts about the club’s prospects, fears which appeared well founded when the Glory was rooted to the bottom of the ladder at the midway point of 2018.
YARRAVILLE GLORY LOOKS TO BOLSTER ATTACKING OPTIONS
NEW GLORY COACH LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS FOR SUCCESS
YARRAVILLE SETS WINS TARGET FOR SECOND HALF OF 2018
Victories over Clifton Hill, North Sunshine Eagles and Hoppers Crossing during a four-week period between rounds 12-15 launched Yarraville clear of the bottom two and provided the belief needed for a positive finish to the campaign.
The Glory also downed Banyule City, Essendon Royals and Western Suburbs during the run home, finishing Donnelly’s first season in charge eight points clear of the drop zone in eighth.
“(We knew) from the very beginning that it was going to be a tough job,” Donnelly said.
“We started late, when we took over, so it was just going to take some time for us to settle in and for the players to get used to us.”
The return of striker Darcey Den Ouden from injury and impact of mid-season signing Musa Kamara were pivotal to Yarraville’s improved form.
Donnelly said “the foundations are in place” for the club to climb further up the table next year.
“I think we have achieved so much this season,” he said.
“From where we were to where we finished.
“I definitely want to continue on. I think the club is in a good position as well and the side has got good potential.”
The experienced coach said he had enjoyed his first year at McIvor Reserve and expects to meet with the club in coming weeks to discuss plans for 2019.
“I think we have got the foundations right or pretty close to right,” he said.
“We’re just worried we might lose some players, if anything.
“If we manage to keep most of the squad and add maybe one or two, I think we can be really competitive next season.”
MORE LOCAL SPORT
STREAKER INTERRUPTS EPIC GRAND FINAL
‘More cracks than a plumber’: VTCA club slams horror pitch
A pitch described as the “worst in VTCA history” has overshadowed a weekend’s game as one club delivered a stinging assessment of the conditions. It’s all in our wrap of the day one action.
From hospital to double ton: Ex-state cricketer’s historic day
A former Victorian state batsman wrote himself into the local cricket history books with a massive double century which smashed all types of records. But it almost didn’t happen after a trip to hospital.