Outgoing Watsonia coach Corey McCall believes the Saints have all the right building blocks to become a top A Plus Labour Solutions Division 2 side in the near future.
Watsonia won the Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 premiership last season and managed to avoid relegation in 2017.
But while they have only managed five wins from 17 games this year, McCall believes the challenge of improving its status in Division 2 will hold his players in good stead moving forward.
“I honestly believe there’s a strong base there and a great culture at the footy club that the building blocks are there for the team to go on and play Division 2 finals footy,” McCall told NFL.org.au.
“We were a really young team when we won the premiership, so they still have their best footy in front of them.
“We’re probably a couple of players short in positions at the moment, but with some young ones coming through, they can push guys to get better.
“The playing group believe that it’s within grasp. Whether it’s next year, the year after or the year after that, that’s the path we need to take.”
Speaking of some of his highlights from his time at the club, McCall conceded leaving the club in a better position than when he came into the coaching job at the conclusion of the 2014 season is most satisfying for him.
“To leave the club in a better position makes you feel good about the three years that you’ve been there and the work that you’ve done,” he said.
“All the relationships I’ve made since I’ve been at the footy club, they’ve been strengthened obviously by the premiership, but for me it’s been the growth over the three years that’s a big highlight for me.
“In my first year we were up by 60 points in a final and lost. To come back and beat that team in a grand final the year later and win the premiership … that journey and the growth of the playing group there is a major highlight.”
The Saints have been on the wrong end of a number of close losses in 2017 and, with one game remaining against Panton Hill, McCall spoke of the importance of finishing the season on a high.
“You don’t want to be involved in too many honourable losses. We were in the game against Fitzroy Stars to three quarter time, in the game against Diamond Creek to three quarter time … we’ve obviously improved, but we don’t have those games as wins next to our name.
“It’s important on Saturday to get a win and finish the season with two on the trot.”
The Round 18 clash played at A.E. Cracknell Reserve will be McCall’s last as head coach of Watsonia, and he took the time to thank those who have made his job easier over the three years.
“I want to thank the coaching staff that has worked with me at Watsonia, particularly my brother who travels a fair distance to come and be assistant coach. His influence in coaching and wanting to make a difference has helped me.
“There are some really passionate people that have helped me at the footy club over my time and coaching footy isn’t a one-person job anymore. I’ve had a fantastic team around me.”
