Tara Murray
Spotswood is ready for a big last month of the Western Region Football League division 1 season, with a finals spot on the line.
After a slow start to the season, the Woodsmen have built through the season and are in fifth spot but are just percentage behind fourth placed Caroline Springs.
Woodsmen coach Tom German said they were excited for what is to come.
“We have got a fairly young side coming through,” he said. “We are getting games into them while still trying to win.
“We want to try and bridge the gap from when we are up and down.”
German said having played 35 or 36 players this season had impacted their consistency especially early when they had a lot of injuries.
He said now they had got some players back in, they were starting to play some good football.
In their most recent hit out, the Woodsmen beat third placed Point Cook.
“The development of some of the young guys and the older guys accepting the game plan has been really good,” he said.
“It’s always hard with a new coach and game style and a fair few new guys that have come into the side.
“We’re getting on the same page and it shows as we match it with some of the top sides.
“There has been a really good team culture.”
German said there had been a number of young players who had really stood up.
He highlighted the Heriot brothers, James and Laclan, with Lachlan getting a call up train with the Western Jets, Connor Schibeci and Chris Seymour.
German said the bye was always welcome, especially as a playing coach, giving him the chance to reset for the last four weeks of the season.
In good signs for the club, German recommitted to the club for next season last month.
“It’s a good club to come to and there’s a lot of support behind the scenes,” German said.
“There’s a good playing culture and team culture and a really good platform to work off.”
For now though German’s focus is on the rest of this season and trying to make finals.
It starts this Saturday against bottom side Hoppers Crossing, which German won’t be taking lightly.
‘It’s such an even league,” he said. “We are 1-1 against Hoppers. We will go into the game really switched on to try and play our best footy.”
