Westgate knows how to make a soccer statement.
Under new coach Mickey Gelic, the state league 1 outfit knocked off last year’s champions and runners-up in the first two weeks of the season.
The Brimbank-based club followed that with two more wins across the following three weeks to establish itself as a title contender.
After the club had spent the previous two years in the championship wilderness and concerned itself with avoiding relegation, president Bobby Vulovic said securing the early wins in 2016 was great for morale.
“We’re making sure it’s controlled excitement, though,” he said. “We know how quickly things can turn around. In saying that, the boys have been fantastic.
“We’ve invested heavily in youth this year and they’ve really embraced that. Getting those early wins gives the guys great incentive to keep working hard … in any sport you play, it’s all about confidence.”
This is Gelic’s second stint in charge at Westgate after leading the club to title success 10 years ago.
In 2006, Westgate claimed the state league 2 title, earning promotion into the FFV’s top echelon.
Vulovic said one of Gelic’s great skills was his ability to get the best out of young players.
With the club making the call to go down a youth path during the off-season, Gelic became the perfect fit.
“I can’t fault any of the coaching staff, they’ve been outstanding,” Vulovic said.
“Mickey is really good with the younger players. He’s a club legend and hall-of-famer. He put his hand up as wanting to coach again and the committee took him on.”
Westgate will look to build on its strong start, which could set up a title run. The club will be favoured to claim the honours when it takes on Yarraville (sixth) and Preston (fourth) in its next two outings.
While Vulovic says it’s great for the players to be back on the wining list, the impact has been equally big on the entire club.
“We worked really hard off-field during pre-season to get our structure right,” he said. “We want to finish as high as possible. Winning games brings your supporters back to the club.
“It’s been great to see during the first three rounds that a lot of the old faces that hadn’t been around for a while are coming back.
“That is something we were really focused on, getting our supporters and members back on board.
“It’s all about trying to create a winning culture.”
