By Michael Cardamone
LAST year was a massive roller coaster that I don’t think anyone saw coming.
Sitting seventh on the ladder with six wins and seven losses, everything was pointing towards another disappointing year for my old side the Zebras.
Things turned around from there, we won our next eight games to come from the clouds and claim a spot in the Division 4 Grand Final.
We knew we were a massive underdog given South Belgrave’s talent. We didn’t care as we knew we matched up well against them. We were confident of causing an upset.
We were so close yet so far. Forcing an undefeated South Belgrave to overtime, unfortunately it was all for nothing.
All I kept thinking was “what if?”
But all credit has to go to South Belgrave; they were the best side all year and deserve to be playing Division 3 this year.
I thought I’d have to wait at least 12 months to have another crack at South Belgrave, but this isn’t the case. Making the move to The Basin this season will give me another crack at them in Round 4.
The Bears and South Belgrave have had some great contests in the past, especially in 2012. The Basin knocked them off four times to win the Division 4 premiership that year, so revenge is going to be on the cards.
Making the move to The Basin was one of the hardest calls I’ve had to make. Leaving a few of my closest mates at Forest Hill was a tough decision.
The senior coach was set in his ways and at times that made it tough for the assistants to express our thoughts and opinions. I knew if I wanted to take that next step in the coaching path it was time for a fresh start and someone with new ideas that could bring the best out of me.
Basin senior coach “Michael “Pickles” Glassborrow spoke to me as a friend and provided advice many times before I made the call to come across.
“Pickles” has coached for a number of years now, and has VFL experience at Box Hill, so I knew becoming a playing/assistant coach was the right step if I want to become a senior coach in the near future.
I’m excited by the challenges ahead and reuniting with old team mates and close friends Brabes [Daniel Den Braber], Cults [Andy Cultrera] and Willo [Chris Williams] who has come across with me from Forest Hill as a development coach.
Knowing a lot of the boys already has made the transition easy. With the club adding Matt Price and Aaron Brown from Coldstream, James Roach from Lilydale. The return of 2012 premiership captain Daniel Den Braber, I can’t wait to get out there with the boys and give Division Three a massive crack.
Our aim is finals, further to that to finish in the top three. We have done all the right things through pre-season and we are ready to go.
Bring it on.