By BRAD MCGRATH
EVAN Panozza has not given up on the AFL dream.
The Casey Scorpions captain recently quit his full-time post as an accountant to dedicate himself more to the rigours of VFL football.
The hard-running defender said the recent influx of mature-age talent into AFL ranks had given him hope that a big league club would come knocking.
But the 25 year old is not hanging his hat on it.
“It is exciting [for VFL players]. It started a couple of years ago with Podsiadly and Barlow and it has been a bit more of a breeding ground for AFL clubs these days,” Panozza said.
“Sam Dwyer from Port Melbourne and Matt Jones from Box Hill have been picked up as well. I guess it is just a matter of being the right fit and hope that you catch someone’s eye that needs a running backman or a winger.
“For the past three years I have been working as an accountant but now I’m doing a few part-time roles and something different. It reduces a bit of travel that I’m doing and I can dedicate a bit more time to the club and the players which you need to do when you’re captain.”
Panozza, a former East Ringwood player in the Eastern Football League, recently took on the captaincy for a second season, but it is the first time he has held the post on his own after Kyle Matthews stood down to focus on getting his body right and playing good football.
Amazingly, Panozza has played under six coaches in his eight seasons at the Scorpions, with Rohan Welsh the latest to enter the revolving door.
He said the former Carlton forward had been impressive and was beginning to put his own stamp on the team, which won the minor premiership last season.
“It has been a bit of a merry-go-round as each coach comes and goes,” he said. “Rohan has been great so far.”
The Scorpions suffered through a tumultuous off-season with coach Brett Lovett, the reigning VFL coach of the year, standing down to spend more time with his family.
Rumours had been swirling for months that the Scorpions were in financial trouble and it then emerged that Melbourne might cut ties with its VFL affiliate.
After an emergency meeting between the club and AFL Victoria the governing body vowed to support the Scorpions through their time of trouble.
But Panozza said the club had been open and honest with the playing group throughout the ordeal and was working feverishly to try to stabilise the club’s finances.
“It was documented in the media a fair bit but as the club informed us it wasn’t all true,” he said.
“There were bits that were but some of the finer details weren’t.
“The club let us know that they were and are trying very hard to get more sponsors and improve the club’s position in Casey and their relationship with Melbourne. We’re there to play football, not run the club.”
Casey Scorpions begin their VFL season against Frankston Dolphins at Casey Fields from 2pm on Sunday.
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