By JARROD POTTER
VAFA DIVISION 4 – ROUND 8
THERE’S still a lot to smile about at Masala even after a tough initiation to Division 4 football.
The Tigers have been beset with injuries and sit 1-7 in VAFA’s lowest division after another big loss – this week at home to Point Cook by 92 points.
The Dogs could have doled out more pain for the Tigers – after spraying 18.28 (136) to the more economical 6.8 (44) from Masala.
A 3.11 opening term from Point Cook kept Masala’s hopes alive of a rank upset, but with a depleted roster the Tigers could not run out the match.
Even with the tough rite of passage into the VAFA divisional system, Masala coach Brett Robinson thought there were plenty of reasons for the Tigers to be proud.
“We’ve got 10 injuries from our senior side at the moment and we played Point Cook today who is on top and undefeated,” Robinson said. “No one tries harder than our blokes- we’re not overly blessed with skills, but we’ve got a massive heart and that’s all you can go on.”
Wheeling Jaryd Coghill (three goals) out of defence paid off as the traditional defender was effective in the Masala forward-50 while Zachary Kelly, ruckman David Crkvenac and midfielder Wayne McMahon all held their own despite the up-hill battle.
“Jaryd’s our assistant coach – he’s a great player- played a lot of his footy with Balwyn so he’s a very handy player and was his first time down forward and he’s usually a centre half back for us,” Robinson said.
While the results on the field are still developing, Robinson believes Masala’s off-field culture is the envy of the league as players bust down the doors to get to training and feature in the Tigers’ line-up.
‘Our boys just love having a crack and just love their footy,” Robinson said. “On the training track on a Tuesday and Thursday night, we’ve got 38 guys and every coach I speak to that we play against wishes they could have that.”
2015 has been a year of immense change for the Tigers – shifting to WJ Turner Reserve in Silverton, acquiring Robinson’s services as its new coach and moving up from the Club XVIII set-up.
“The club has changed around – we’ve finally got a home base which is awesome,” Robinson said. “It’s only small here – probably more suited to junior footy – but our guys have adapted to it well and where we are sitting at the moment with injuries a small ground helps us.
“We’re rapt down here – the guys I’ve brought here say it’s great with the camaraderie and if guys are looking for a game of footy come along.”
The 10th placed Tigers host South Mornington next weekend following a bye.
If anyone is interesting in playing for Masala, contact the club at contactus@masalafc.com.au.
DIVISION 2
WALTZING past another challenger, St John’s maintained its high-flying start to 2015 with a rollicking 65-point win over Monash Gryphons.
The forward pressure of Rohan Scott (six goals) and Aaron Thornton (four goals) was too much for the home side as the JOCs tandem was given expert delivery from Liam Mara, Matt Nicholson and Glenn Costas.St John’s remains unbeaten atop the Division 2 ladder and faces Ivanhoe AFC after the bye in a battle of first versus second; the JOCs’ biggest test this season.
