United ends with gritty 2-1 loss
Warragul United's State League One season came to an end on Saturday and unfortunately not with the win they were looking for.
A 2-1 loss at the hands of Fitzroy continued a run of recent losses and a dip in form seeing the reds placing themselves in the lower half of the final league ladder but high enough that they were never in kind of relegation trouble.
A gruelling 22 round, post COVID full season certainly came with its challenges. An injury ravaged squad and having to field players who weren't at 100 per cent took its toll.
Not quite having the roster to stand up to some of the league's powerhouse teams also another telling factor. A handful of the top sides had the budget to attract some absolute gun players to bolster their lists and they inflicted damage to United during the campaign.
Warragul are quite the reverse and have always relied on home grown talent and Gippsland born and bred players to fill the ranks and have never had the cheque book to ‘buy in' mercenaries like some clubs are able to do. A policy that United are proud of and one that will continue.
Key players Thomas Ahmadzai - who dislocated a shoulder, Mitch Jones – torn medial and ACL and Oscar Sheehan – injured ankle from an ill-timed tackle at Mornington, were all missing from the recent line-ups, however these exclusions opened up an opportunity for young players to step up into the senior grade, notably Myles Luders who made his debut after a run of good form in the two's. He performed admirably against a strong opponent.
Liam Antonelli also was brought in on the wing with Riley Dastey's inclusion at right back also a key addition. Dastey was supported in defence by, odds-on favourite for the coveted George Ritchie best and fairest medal, the mercurial Nick Modaffari.
Moda has been such a signing this year. His value in the centre of defence is unparalleled.
With Matt Gauci also out with injury coach Steve Maselli brought in the experienced and very capable Riley Hamilton in alongside Modaffari with left-pegger Luders on the left in a four man defensive formation.
The midfield three remained unchanged from that of the previous week with Baley ‘Buzz' Rowe, Ashley Ross and Matt Maselli now familiar with their roles.
Big Rory Wagner spearheaded the attack again in a vital position for United. ‘Wags' is heavily relied upon to not only score the goals but also hold the ball up, interchange in link up play to feed the midfield and to provide an ariel target for the wingers to overlap from his flick-ons. Wagner is no Ferrari in terms of his speed but, at 188cm, being built like a truck and with the touch of Eric Cantona, he is certainly a very rare specimen and important weapon for United.
Not too many people have covered as much real estate on the football ground this year as Sammy Gatpan. He once again started up front on the wing and chased all day, chipping in with a goal in what was the very last kick of a football for 2022.
A special mention goes to towering keeper Aidan ‘Dos' Riley. He came to the club this year from the Gippsland league, challenging himself to win the #1 jersey and compete at a higher level and when United's starting goalkeeper Liam Andersen ruptured his ACL after only a few rounds,
Dos stepped up and has not looked back, guarding the Warragul goal with confidence, and contributing to the team dynamic superbly. He is held in high regard by his team mates and I'm sure will be rewarded come presentation night and will pole well.
Although United lost their final match against Fitzroy 2-1 in a physical tussle, they should hold their heads high. One cannot take anything away from a team that fights until the very end and gives their all for the cause. Sometimes luck does not go your way too. A little bit of that every now and again would have been nice but it has just seemed to have evaded Warragul this year.
It also was great to see the return of Warragul's captain, Nathan Lugton. Luggo had badly torn a medial ligament earlier in the season and had the all clear to play again. He was brought on at the half and made an immediate impact. This guy is a one-of-a-kind ‘swiss army' knife type of a player. So versatile, he can do it all! Awesome to have him back.
Bryson Tanti, who has been injured since fracturing his ankle in round one also made a welcomed return and played some quality minutes in the reserves. He will be a force next year and was sorely missed this season in attack.
Best players: Riley Hamilton, Myles Luders and Nick Modaffari.
Reserves:
Let's not forget the reserves team. Although it has not been a memorable year for our seniors it definitely has been for the reserves unit.
They have had a phenomenal season and finished just off second spot in at third. After losing three of the first four rounds, coach Jason Dastey's ressies have gone on a rampage and surged up the ladder.
Individually, Daniel Edey will surely be right there in not only club, but also league best & fairest conversations. He should also top the scoring after amassing 18 goals. A terrific effort.
Riley Dastey also had a cracker of a year with the likes of veteran Danny Dunne, Cooper Farr, Germaine Otieno (12 goals), Liam Antonelli, the aforementioned Myles Luders, 17 year olds Conor McCluskey and Hamish Dastey, Leon Varrasso, and the list goes on, all contributing valiantly on a weekly basis.
The team unity in this squad has been exemplary and it is accredited to Dastey's commitment and constant pursuit of excellence from his players.
The reserves finished the year with 16 wins and one draw from 22 rounds, scoring 58 goals and a plus 31 goal difference. A record in terms of United's history in the State leagues and a massive achievement.