Tara Murray
Westmeadows coach Ash Flavel is excited for the future after committing to the Essendon District Football League division 2 club for next season.
Having coached the side the past two seasons, Flavel had no hesitation on putting pen to paper for another year.
“They said they would speak to me over the bye weekend and they seemed pretty happy with where things are at.
“I know about the coaching merry go round and one day you’ve got a job and the next you’re an outsider.
“We’ve had a pretty good year and are looking to play finals in the next few weeks. It would be good to give it a shake and I’m excited for next year.
“I’m invested in the club and I love the club.”
The Tigers sit in third spot after 16 rounds and have shown when they play their football, they can beat the top sides.
When they’re off, the Tigers have been given a couple of lessons.
“We always knew that we were going to be okay, but not knowing the competition we didn’t know how we would gel together,” Flavel said.
“We’re happy with the group and how they’ve gelled, it’s pretty pleasing. To just make finals would be a pass mark for us.
“How far we can go, I don’t know.
Many of the Tigers’ struggles have come in the wet, which Flavel says they are trying to change.
He said they were hoping that the weather gods might be on their side.
Flavel said for the playing group they were excited about the possibility of playing finals this year.
“A lot haven’t played senior finals footy, bar a couple,” he said. “We don’t have anything to lose.
“We are pretty much the underdog against Taylors Lakes and Burnside Heights or whoever we come up against.”
After a bye, the Tigers were back in action on Saturday against Taylors Lakes.
Speaking before the game, Flavel said they were keen to redeem themselves from the last time they played each other.
“They gave us a touch up last time and it was a bad week for the club,” he said. “Everyone was sick.
“We’re pretty much at full tilt and we want to see how we go.”
The Tigers showed a much improved performance against the Lions with the match finishing in a draw.
The Lions led at the three breaks including by six points at the final change.
Six goals to five in the final quarter levelled the scores at 14.11 (95)-14.11 (95).
Shaun O’Grady kicked three goals while Aaron Evans, Rex Hickman and Korey Flavel-Wood kicked two apiece.
Luke Smith, Michael Mayne and Jordan Kosteas were named the Tigers best.
The result means the Tigers will finish in third no matter what happens in the final two rounds.
The Tigers face Coburg Districts this Saturday.
