SEVEN months have passed since Spotswood’s nightmare one-point loss to Altona Vikings in the Western Region Football League division 1 grand final.
The Woodsmen will come face to face with the Vikings in this year’s opening round at Grant Reserve on Saturday.
You would have thought revenge would be on the minds of the Woodsmen, but that’s not the case.
Woodsmen player-coach Chris O’Keefe admits the lead-up to a clash with the Vikings is bigger than most, but it has nothing to do with it being a grand final rematch.
“We’re in the middle of building a good rivalry between the two clubs,” he told the Weekly.
“Being next-door neighbours adds a bit of fuel to the fire. It’s one of those games that you look forward to playing in now.
“You know you’re going to get a competitive game played in really good spirits and a lot of respect from both teams for each other.”
The Woodsmen have played in six consecutive grand finals for four wins and two losses.
They’re no stranger to rivalries being born out of top-of-the-table battles.
Their first serious one was with the Port Melbourne Colts, who they beat in three consecutive grand finals from 2007-09. Then came an instant rivalry with Albion, but that was only fleeting, lasting two years for two grand finals.
Now, the Vikings are the side the Woodsmen get most pumped to play for the on-field challenge and the geography of the clubs.
How do the Woodsmen manage to stay relevant when the blockbuster clashes come around?
“It’s always our goal to have a better list this year than what you had last year,” O’Keefe said.
“That’s always the challenge in front of each club. It’s difficult to do it year on year.
“I really think it’s something we’ve been able to do this year. We’ve got some really good players into the group and they’ll all hopefully have an impact early on.”
Will that be enough this season?
The Woodsmen’s ability to get back to the grand final is under serious fire. The challenges are going to come from many sources.
Defending champions Altona have topped up with former Richmond key position player Jayden Post.
Deer Park has had a major overhaul under new player-coach Marc Bullen and assembled an intimidating list.
Hoppers Crossing has added to its stocks with the inclusions of former Western Bulldogs Brodie Moles and James Mulligan.
St Albans showed on opening night that it could be a finals threat after bringing in former Essendon tall Aaron Henneman and VFL star Teghan Henderson.
Sunshine Kangaroos are an intriguing proposition with Mitch Hahn headlining the ins, while Port Melbourne Colts can never be ruled out.
But O’Keefe fired a few shots of his own in the clearance market.
Six ready-made first team players were brought in for immediate impact, including key-position player Murray Boyd, midfielders Justin Dorwood, Sam Myors, Michael Fogarty and Stuart Jones, and full-forward Brent Dickson.
The inclusions have offset the departures of premiership players Torin Baker, Sam Wood and Dylan Ayton.
