Tara Murray
Newport is even hungrier to taste success in the Western Football League division 2 competition, following the news it would be promoted.
This week the league announced that Albion, Sunshine and Newport would all be promoted to division 1 next season as part of a competition restructure.
Panthers coach Rodney Van Riet said it was an exciting time for the club.
“There’s obviously been talk throughout the year that they were possibly looking to promote multiple clubs,” he said.
“The club wants to play at the highest level. Newport is still a relatively new club and for everyone involved in seniors, reserves and under-18s it gives us the opportunity to show what we can do at that level.”
Van Riet said while knowing what their future looks like next year it doesn’t change their focus on what they want to achieve this year.
The club is currently sitting fourth.
“It makes us hungrier to win it,” he said. “There’s still from our own perspective that we still want to do it the right way.
“We certainly want to be hitting our straps at the right time.”
The Panthers showed in a recent two-point loss to Albion that it can match it with the top sides when they play their best.
It’s the closest any team has come to beating Albion this season.
“It did not go our way,” he said. “It was a really hard fought game and they don’t have a weakness across the board.
“We hit the front with a couple of minutes to go and the opportunity was there to win it. It gives us a really good confidence boost.”
The Panthers face West Footscray this week, before playing second placed Sunshine in the final round.
Van Riet said the contest against Sunshine would be a good one and the sort of match they want to play in the lead up to finals.
They are set to blood another two under-18s this week which Van Riet said was a really positive sign for the club going forward.
“I don’t think many clubs have had as many 18s play as much as we have,” he said. “It will hold the club in good stead and help continue to build that comradery we have.”
Van Riet, who has played in many finals series with Deer Park and Keilor, said he was looking forward to his first finals series as a coach.
While he didn’t think he would play this season, he’s played five senior matches.
“I pulled the boots on and kept the competitive beasts at bay,” he said.
“We’ve looked to manage some players, so it was more to give them a rest.
“It’s a bit different coaching, but it’s exciting. You can’t not only focus on yourself but you have a whole squad.”
