By Lachlan Mitchell
Michael Cardamone is ready to take the reins as the new senior-playing coach for Doveton in its new home in the Southern Football League.
The Doves short, but premiership-winning time in the Outer East came to an end after the Covid-interrupted 2021 season.
Doveton have also been forced to make a drop-down in division for the new year.
“Going into a new league a lot of our players are unknown to the opposition which is the same for us going in, with a fresh start coming from Outer East Premier,” Cardamone said.
“People might say we have dropped down a division, but unfortunately I think we are at a division-two standard because we only won one game.”
The new league provides the struggling side a fresh start, with a new squad, against new competition.
“We have a new book to write, and chapter one pretty much starts next week, and we will write our new book and hopefully it’s a successful one,” Cardamone said.
Cardamone was involved in the Eastern Football League were he kicked 626 goals from 284 games. He has brought his experience, as well as new recruits, to the club.
“There are 14 new recruits I have brought to the club which is going to add depth to the playing group, but we have lost two or three that we didn’t want to lose,” he said.
“We have replaced and added to our list 10-fold and we are really pleased with the list and our fitness levels are high. We are exactly where we want to be.”
The lack of success for the Doves in previous seasons has made it hard for the side to bounce back, but the new coach is optimistic about his sides chances of really pushing for success this season.
“I just tried to get the enjoyment factor back up going again after playing 10 games of footy in three years,” he said.
“Which includes trying to recruit well and making sure we have a strong list, and getting some wins and having some wins on and off the field.
“There is a lot of work to be done and I’m excited to get our hands dirty and we are ready to go come in round one against Hampton Park.
“Monday and Wednesday training isn’t going to get us to the fitness levels to play, it’s about the extra things you do that’s going to get us to our best.”
The younger-crop of players coming through really excites the new coach and he expects them to be the next stars of the club.
“Zach Charles, who is an 18-year-old, he’s all class the way he goes about things and he will play a lot of senior football this season,” Cardamone said.
“Kai Suparta, he has been unlucky for the last two years when he was at the Oakleigh Chargers. He hasn’t had much luck playing TAC Cup, but these two are going to be 200-game superstars for the club.
“I actually wish round one was next week. I’m over running laps and team meetings…I am ready for round one.”
