Altona Vikings still have some navigating to do before it can reach the destination mapped out by coach Saade Ghazi.
The Vikings are striving to become a consistent top-three side and premiership contender in the WRFL division 1, but remain a work in progress.
“We’re not that far away, but we’re not there yet,” Ghazi told Star Weekly.
The gap between the top three and the rest is still significant enough to cast doubts over Altona’s ability to break into the top three this season.
That’s why Ghazi has one eye on the now and another looking ahead to a promising 12-24 months.
“As a footy club, we’ve got a really good solid base … probably more than a base now,” he said. “It’s not just this year, it’s next year and the year after. That’s our goal.”
Altona demonstrated its so-near-yet-so-far tale in Saturday’s 20-point loss to Hoppers Crossing at Grant Reserve.
The Vikings were impressive in patches, but could not seal the deal with a consistent four-quarter performance.
Honourable losses do not cut it where Ghazi wants to take his Vikings team.
“They had a three-goal buffer most of the game that we couldn’t peg back,” Ghazi said.
“We just didn’t have enough polish to get in front of them and stay in front.
“Our goal is to become a top-three club and to do that you have to beat the clubs above.
“At the moment, Deer Park, Hoppers Crossing and Werribee Districts are those three clubs and there’s probably a gap to the rest of us.”
But what is heartening for the Altona faithful is the exciting crop of youngsters blooded into the senior team.
The Vikings have used 35 players this season, many with bright futures at the club, and the defence has featured a trio of exciting teenagers in Kelly Pickard, James Goetz and Tom Szanyi.
The club lost a fair bit of experience in the off-season, but it has provided opportunities for these youngsters to play a part.
Over the next two years, these “kids” will turn into men and Ghazi will drip-feed a star recruit here and there to turn the side into a contender.
“We’ve got to keep [playing the youngsters], but at the same time we’d like to get some experienced players back, maybe a few who have travelled this year and then try to pick up one or two at the top end,” he said.
Despite the loss to Hoppers, it was an exciting day for Altona with the debut of Heath Rafferty, the younger brother of Josh and Trent.
All three Rafferty brothers played together in the seniors for the first time.
“It was really exciting for the family,” Ghazi said. “Their mum and dad were really proud.”
Captain Jordan Robbins produced another stellar performance in the midfield for the Vikings.
“We expect that from Jordy, he’s an elite player,” Ghazi said.
Mitch Turnbull kicked three goals, while Robbins and Josh Rafferty snared two each.
Altona faces a stern test to keep hold of fourth spot when they face fifth-placed Spotswood away at McLean Reserve on Saturday.
The Woodsmen will be looking to bounce back after losing to Deer Park by 77 points.
