TOUGH TO GO PAST
Keeper keen to keep it Hammer time
HAMISH “Hammer” Flavell has no intention of handing back his spot in the team anytime soon.
The North Geelong Warriors goalkeeper is currently leading the battle over experienced teammate Marko Stevanja to be the club’s No.1 in goal.
The 22-year-old is enjoying a solid run in the first team, with his performances making it almost impossible for coach James Coutts to bring Stevanja back into the Warriors’ starting 11.
But he is more than aware of how quickly that can change.
“In previous years I hadn’t had much of a chance, but I feel like the chances I’ve had this year I’ve made the most of,” Flavell said.
“I think it come down to a massive pre-season. Having two quality keepers push each other for four months, leading that into the season, I feel like I am the best I’ve been for a long time.
“He (Stevanja) is an amazing goalkeeper. It’s been a good challenge and even in training now we push each other.
“It’s a credit to him to work alongside an experience goalkeeper like him.”
Flavell has been made to wait for his opportunity for an extended run in the first team.
A North Geelong junior, Flavell was handed his senior debut against St Albans at 16. But with Daniel Zilic and Tom Dunn at the club during that time, opportunities were limited.
Flavell decided to go in search of game time midway through 2016, making the significant drop down to State League 5 outfit Golden Plains.
He helped drive them towards promotion come the end of the season and then spent all of 2017 playing with the club in State League 4.
However a return to the Warriors was always on the cards and Flavell arrived back for pre-season under then new coach Luciano Trani. Flavell said his time in the lower leagues had been crucial for his development.
“It gave me that break where I was able to play consecutive games,” he said.
“Even though it’s not the level I am playing at now, being able to come in week in and out and perform, it gives you that confidence to grow and (build) trust in yourself.
“I feel like it gave myself a bit more confidence, a bit more character coming back to North.”
An injury to Stevanja gave Flavell some early season opportunities and he impressed as Trani’s side found its feet in the league.
However things were turned upside down midway through the year, with Trani’s shock resignation catching everyone at Elcho Park off guard. For Flavell it was a big blow. He had just played the last handful of games and im- pressed. But would new manager Coutts rate him?
Would he decide to go safe and bring the experienced Stevanja back in?
Where did he sit in Coutts’ plans?
“I had my doubts as well with the new coach (coming in). I feel like it’s back to square one with a new coach,” Flavell admitted.
“All the players are seen on a level playing field.
“Coming into the change, I had played the last few games so that was to my benefit.
“I didn’t have the chance to sit down (with James). But he watched previous games before taking over as coach.
“For two or three weeks he saw a few of my games. I was lucky enough to have good performances within the team.”
Coutts kept the faith and the Warriors now find themselves on a seven-game unbeaten run.
However the next month will be season-defining, starting with Brunswick City at home today.
North Geelong plays three of the west league’s top five sides — Brunswick City, Altona and St Albans — and east division leader Dandenong City in the next four weeks.
Come the end of that run the Warriors will know if they are promotion contenders, or making up the numbers in 2018.
“The calendar month coming up is tight, busy. It’s a true test of the character of the playing group,” Flavell said.
“But each week the whole squad as a collective has risen to the test.
“If we can pull results, it would be a massive show of our character. It would definitely show we are title contenders.”
The good news for the Warriors is they will always have a safe pair of hands in goal regardless of whether it’s Flavell or Stevanja.