Footscray is no longer reliant on a high concentration of imports to be one of the front-runners in Lacrosse Victoria men’s state league.
The Bulldogs moved to the top of the ladder after Saturday’s 23-8 thrashing of MCC and have done it with largely home-grown players.
“It’s been pretty solid considering we don’t have as many imports as in the past,” Bulldogs coach Max Madonia told Star Weekly. “We have a lot of young blood coming through, so I think we’re doing a really good job.”
The success of import players in the past means the Bulldogs have no intention of slamming the door on them.
They will again use their American connections to fill the huge void left by injured star James Lawerson.
The Australian international will miss a significant chunk of the season to a broken arm, and players with 17 goals and 16 assists in seven games don’t grow on trees.
“He’s going to be real tough to cover,” Madonia said.
“It’s his leadership on the field; his ability and creativity is what it’s all about. He scores goals as well as assists, so we’re going to miss him.”
The Bulldogs will bring in American import Tim Daly, out of Adelphi University, to soften the blow. He will strengthen the midfield considerably.
“We need a bit more horse power in the midfield, especially after losing Jimmy,” Madonia said. “It’s where we’re lacking at the moment.”
Of the local contingent, Peter Kwas has been a stand-out in attack for the Bulldogs.
The 17-year-old is the team’s leading scorer with 19 goals and has a bright future.
Kwas will travel to New York later in the year to represent Australia’s indoor lacrosse team at the world championships in New York in September.
Chris Plumb and WA recruit Miles Blair have earned state representative honours with Victoria.
With 16 goals and eight assists, Plumb brings a mixture of refinement and aggression.
“He’s one of the fairest, hardest lacrosse players you could meet,” Madonia said.
“Highly skilful, very instinctive, but plays with a great deal of passion and heart. He goes out and plays hard, but he’s not cheap, the ball is always his focus.”
In an ominous sign, the Bulldogs are only going to get stronger when they welcome back last season’s co-captain, Tim Lane, after the Queen’s birthday break. Lane has been sidelined after undergoing a knee reconstruction.
While the Bulldogs are top of the charts after eight rounds, Madonia is not getting carried away with only one game separating first to fifth on the ladder, but he does like where his club is heading in the grand scheme.
“You’ve got to define what success looks like,” he said.
“For us, it’s about survival, it’s about putting kids through, it’s about a good culture at our club, it’s a different strategy to other clubs.
“If we get that right, the by-product is success and, hopefully, another premiership.
“Sometimes I don’t think people realise the turnaround the club has had or appreciate what it has gone through.
“Go back 10 years and I don’t think we even had a state league team.”
