38 DAYS TO GO | EFNL Media will be previewing each club ahead of the 2020 season with the #InFocus2020 series, all thanks to Yarra Valley Water & Choose Tap.
By: Daniel Cencic
PRE-SEASON at the Whitehorse Pioneers has seen a shake-up under new senior coach Brad Taws.
The Pioneers were promoted to Division 3 last season off the back of their 2018 Division 4 flag, finishing sixth with eight wins and 10 losses.
Taws, who was appointed in September last year, lands at Springfield Park with a wealth of experience having served a lengthy apprenticeship under current Wantirna South coach Steve Cochrane at top tier outfits Blackburn, VAFA club Old Carey and Vermont.
“I’ve had a very good grounding working with (Steve Cochrane) over the last six or seven years, and I’ve also had some good coaches in my career back home at Moe with (former Brisbane Bears player and Gippsland Power coach) Lachlan Sim,” Taws said.
“When I finished football, I always wanted to coach … I’ve really enjoyed it and the boys have taken on the challenges I’ve thrown at them.
“I’ve probably put them through a pre-season similar to what a Premier (Division) club would go through.”
Returning to the club are 2018 premiership duo Damian and Matthew Bertacco, after a year away.
22-year-old Damian, who has played 51 senior matches at the club, was named the Frank Bibby/Blue Ribbon medallist for best on ground in the Pioneers’ 2018 Division 4 grand final win in a performance which included kicking the sealer in the tight decider.
Matthew, 25, re-joins after 29 senior appearances from 2016-2018.
“They’re flying at the moment – they’re very fit and going well,” Taws said.
“They just go flat-stick all the time and the good thing about it is they get going and they challenge their mates and the next lot challenge their mates and before you know it, it becomes a massive challenge.”
Meanwhile, 2009 Vermont premiership player Daniel Mendes has joined the club after a four seasons with Ararat in the Wimmera Football League.
The 31-year-old posted 89 senior appearances for Vermont from 2007-2015, also featuring in the Eagles’ 2012 top tier senior grand final side.
Daniel Mendes in full-flight for Vermont. PHOTO: Vermont Football Club
“(Daniel) speaks for himself as a player from his past,” Mendes said.
“I think a lot of the younger kids are looking up to him – obviously we are a pretty young team.
“A lot of the younger guys are looking up to him to see how he goes about his training, how he prepares himself and how he pushes himself.
“He’s been a massive get.”
Tom Davis has signed on from Balwyn after a previous stint with Doncaster East, with the former Research and Montmorency junior expected to bolster the midfield.
“I’ve known Tommy for a little while and he’s just got so much raw ability. He’s super-fit (and) he’s ticking every box,” Taws said.
“I’ve actually recruited him as a forward but the way he’s going (and) the way I’m looking at it, he’ll play midfield and probably go as a jump-in ruckman like the Adam Goodes type player.”
Also joining the fold is big-bodied defender Duncan Jones from Vermont, former Oakleigh Charger Xavier Fry who re-joins the club after a year at South Croydon, Noah Khan who last played at the Pioneers in 2018 and former Whitehorse junior Josh Norris after two seasons of reserves footy at Balwyn.
Despite the club’s sixth-placed finish in 2019, just four points and percentage separated the Pioneers from a finals appearance last year.
Taws has issued the call to the senior and reserve outfits for the season ahead to challenge one-another in pursuit of respective finals berths.
“It’s all about challenging yourselves,” Taws said.
“The worst player on the list to the best player on the list, it’s all about challenging each other and getting the best out of each other.
“For us as a club, it’s to try and grow and have consistency each week – to have consistency right across the board for both teams is really important for me.
“Looking at the reserves and making sure the reserves are trying to grow as well, and pressuring the senior guys up the top so they have to keep challenging themselves.
“All of a sudden, everything else takes care of itself.”
The Whitehorse Pioneers begin their season hosting the Glen Waverley Hawks at Springfield Park on Saturday, April 4.