Re-signed Wangaratta coach Daniel Vasilevski keen to promote club's youth

He spoke to The Border Mail about how he plans to approach the season.

BEAU GREENWAY: Are you excited for a third season at Wangaratta?

DANIEL VASILEVSKI: I always wanted to and having the time off really made me miss it. I sat down with (former presidents) Travis Whiley and Dean Campagna and Dom Testoni, the new president, and their enthusiasm and drive to go around as well convinced me to stay on board. They're ambitious and they want to go down the same path we did the last couple of seasons. Dom is very energetic and is a fresh face around the committee.

ALSO IN SPORT:

BG: Do you feel refreshed after some time off coaching?

DV: This whole break was probably a blessing in disguise to be honest. If we didn't have COVID I would have obviously gotten through the year but I probably would have needed some time off afterwards and would have had that next season. It's probably the first time in my life I've had that much time away from football and it's kind of helped me with my priorities at work and with family. I've got all that sorted now and can focus on coaching again. We'll start training on the 1^st of December which is a Tuesday and we'll go for two weeks before Christmas.

BG: You had put together a strong squad this season, are you hoping you can keep most of the guys together?

DV: With the overseas guys there's only Ellis (Williamson) left because Jack (Oldham) went back to England. I know Ellis is living over the border now and might look to play up north, but we'll have a chat to him. I think guys like Jordy Hore and probably Josh Masters will go to uni in Melbourne. We'll probably lose a few of these guys to Melbourne, but if they want to do the trip for the weekend and play a game, we'd be happy.

BG: Does the fact there's international travel restrictions change your recruiting approach?

DV: We'll probably shift a bit of focus onto a couple of local boys and try to promote some of our better younger players. In terms of overseas players, we probably won't go searching for any because it's just going to be too hard.

BG: With less COVID-19 cases being recorded in regional areas, do you think it might see more players from outside join the league?

DV: Regional areas have done well with the COVID situation, so I think players that were looking to move to Melbourne to play will probably stay here and maybe even some players from Melbourne will want to move to regional areas, whether it's with their families or for work. I think it could be a strong year for the league.