Tara Murray
Westmeadows is backing in its youth in the Essendon District Football League division 1.
The Tigers haven’t gone out on a massive recruiting spree, instead looking to promote younger players through the ranks.
Tigers coach Mo Kaakour said many of these players were ready to play senior football.
“We’ve gone with youth a lot more than other clubs,” he said.
“We’re backing in youth and the development of the kids and hopefully it will pay off late in the season.
“They won’t be thrown in the deep end, they will be playing roles. They’ve had success at under-19 level.
“At 22-23 they are now considered senior players and they have a role to play.”
Kaakour said while they were yet to finalise their round one squad, many of those younger guys were in contention to play.
He said they had played more than 40 players in their practice matches, looking at different combinations.
“We’ve had three practice matches, trial matches,” he said.
“We drew one with Maribyrnong Park, we beat West Preston [Lakeside] and then had a little bit of a touch up by Wallan.
“We played a lot of kids. It should hold us in good stead as we looked to get some more game time into the kids.”
While the Tigers will focus on youth, the club has looked to add some experienced players around them.
Ruckman Ferras Mehri returns to the club having played at the Sunbury Kangaroos last season. Mehri was set to play at the Tigers in 2020 before COVID-19 resulted in the season being cancelled.
Billy Samie, who played in a couple of premierships at West Preston Lakeside has come across, as has Zain Neicho, who played under Kaakour in Maribyrnong Park’s under-19s.
Kaakour said Travis Holmberg, who missed most of last season through injury, would also be like a new recruit.
“We added some top end talent to compliment the kids with some experience.
“They’re important cogs in our campaign.”
On the other side, Tigers have lost skipper Robbie Castello, who has returned to his junior club Keilor Park.
Kaakour said Castello is hard to replace.
“He’s a unique player and has really good leadership.
“You can’t replace a leader like him, his leadership was part of the development of these kids.
“We’re now trying to find our leaders for the next 10 years.”
The Tigers kick off their season on April 2 against Moonee Valley.
