By Tash Gunawardana
Rowville would like to forget season 2021 as they ended the season equal last on the Premier Division Seniors Men’s ladder with two wins and six losses.
The Hawks will hope to get back within the top four, just like in 2019 when they played in the first week of the 2019 Premier Division Senior Men’s final series.
Rowville coach Ben Wise has been at the club for two years as head coach but four years as Senior Assistant, so he knows what it takes to get to a Premier Division finals series.
“After a few interrupted years of local footy, we have been working extremely hard to build a strong foundation at the footy club to be competing in finals footy,” Senior Men’s Coach Ben Wise said.
“There is a great buzz around the place.
“Get down and have a look and support your local community.”
Rowville recruited several top tier players over the off-season including Pierce Roseby (Sydney Swans AFL Academy), Jordan Gallucci (Adelaide Crows), Taylin Duman (Fremantle Dockers) and Anthony Brolic (Frankston VFL).
Also, Mark Seedsman from Doveton makes the move to Rowville.
Last year, Rowville played loads of young players and Wise touched on that blooding these young guys has helped in their development and with them understanding the style the club want them to play.
Wise is eager to watch his side go from strength to strength since last year.
“From a coach’s perspective been really happy with our preseason to date,” he continued.
“We’ve had a good attendance from all grades.
“Being such an emerging list and watching the growth from last preseason to this year’s is really positive.”
The Rowville women’s team are lucky to be coached by Leann Gill, who was the Blackburn women’s coach last year.
Gill has a wealth of coaching experience and will have the previous Rowville women’s coaches Sean Alston and Cailen Scales as part of her coaching team.
“A very exciting inclusion is Cat Mastrianni who is part of our RFC women’s coach mentor program, to promote and help women who want to coach football,” she said.
As far as recruiting goes for the women’s team, they have recruited a few new players who wanted a fresh start to their football.
“They have fitted in really well and should help Rowville be a competitive Division One side,” Gill said.
Gill is back at Rowville where her love of coaching began 25 years ago.
“Rowville is where it all started for me as a junior coach of boys teams and it is an absolute pleasure to return and coach other passionate females,” she continued.
“They are eager to learn.
“Not sure if this is the uniqueness you were asking for, but 75 percent of the players are teachers.”
Rowville women are stronger, fitter, and ready to tackle a huge 2022 under the new style of play that Gill has instilled into them since they started training in November.
If you are a Rowville women’s fan, then you should be excited as under Gill they will play an exciting brand of football.
“The women’s side is excited to be a part of the future of this club and are working extremely hard to be ready to play some exciting football and be a competitive unit in Division One.”
