ONE IN, ALL IN..
‘Choose Tap’ Countdown | Doncaster East Football Club
By Ben Warren- Smith (EFL Broadcast Manager)
There are only two options regarding commitment. You’re either IN or you’re OUT.
‘One in, all in’ has been the Doncaster East Football Clubs mantra for the past 18 months and will remain so for the foreseeable future.
This commitment resonates with the whole club. From the players and coaches, to committee members, supporters, sponsors and mums & dads.
In order for the team to progress to the elite level, commitment is the key, and all signs are suggesting the club is ready to take the next step this year.
Going into his 2nd year at the helm, senior coach Steve Buckle makes no bones about what his team’s expectations are for season 2015.
‘We obviously want to achieve the ultimate goal this year as we all believe you have to strive for the ultimate success – and that’s a Premiership, he said.
We want it, but we know we’ve got a lot of hard work in front of us. There will be 9 other teams with the same goals in mind and we’re going to have to improve quite a lot from last year.
So the balls in our court & I think we’re on the right track.’
After failing to meet the club’s internal expectations last year (7 wins), the playing list have attacked the preseason hungrier than ever.
‘Just about everyone turned up to pre-season training in great condition and are looking for redemption’ added Buckle.
With averaging about 45 senior players on the training track 3 times per week, coupled with an intense pre-season camp at Red Hill, this young group are ready to prove that finishing ‘middle of the road again’ is not acceptable.
Natural progression and development has always been a fundamental cog in Buckle’s repertoire, and the players are responding, with him adding, ‘The maturity levels shown by the group by looking after themselves in the off season is fantastic’
Adding experienced players to line up at last seasons end has been a crucial element as the team strives for success this year. Going into his 10th season as senior president, Alf Molinaro and his committee have worked tirelessly to fill the gaps pointed out by the coaching staff and senior players over summer.
‘We have gone out on a limb with the view that if we keep doing the same things, then the same things will happen’ Alf said.
‘We have virtually recruited a spine of 5 to 6 very talented and solid players, that we feel will take us there this season and beyond. They will be exciting to watch!’ he added.
Director of football and vice president Michael Gordon naturally shares the same views. ‘We have worked closely with these recruits to get them to Zerbes for the past 12 months and we are elated they will don the mighty Lions jumper. These are players we believe will play out their careers at Doncaster East.’
And handy recruits they are.
Dean Limbach, Michael Stevens and Dean Giles join the club from the Wodonga raiders, while Daniel Coghill, Jake Whitting and Shane Tennant come across the Yarra from Montmorency. Throw in Emile Abdullah (Whitefriars) who won the ammos B&F a few years back, Trent Boglis and Rami Ayoubi returning from injury, then suddenly the mix of youth and experience is the balance the team has been missing in recent seasons.
Senior player and Club favourite Peter Sowersby is bursting with excitement at what this season might bring. ‘A lot of the players have taken it upon themselves to hit the gym to become bigger, better and stronger. Our under 19’s have completed a full preseason and I would not be surprised if a handful get a taste of senior footy this year. The numbers on the track at times have hit 90 across all grades, which is up there with best I have seen here’ he said.
To add to the excitement the club the club will introduce an impressive new playing strip this year, mixing old with the new, encapsulating the proud history at Zerbes from 1968 to present day.
But it’s no good looking impressive if you’re not playing impressive footy.
And Buckle knows this all too well, leaving no stone unturned. ‘We have high expectations this year as I believe you need to set the bar high and we have big and tough goals to achieve, because that’s the only way we’ll improve as a group and as individuals.’
Mediocrity is no longer part of the Doncaster East Football Clubs vocabulary. Live by the mantra and Division 1 football is right there for the taking.
‘One in, all in’