Title-holders just two years ago, Keilor Wolves are now taking whatever positives they can from a tough situation.
After winning the state league 5 soccer title in 2014, the Wolves were promoted to state league 4. But the jump in class proved tough to handle and Keilor was relegated at the end of last season.
While disappointed with the overall result, Wolves president Steven Talevski says the club learnt a lot from the experience.
“Obviously the results didn’t go our way, but as a club we experienced great growth last year,” he said.
“The players who have decided to stay have really learnt a lot from that experience, especially the younger boys, who have now got that understanding of what it takes to play at a higher level.
“We see those guys becoming leaders at the club,” Talevski added.
The Wolves have made a change at the top, with Achille Mellini stepping in as senior coach.
Mellini joined the Wolves midway through last year as director of coaching and has impressed everyone in his time with the club.
Talevski says Mellini’s experience of helping clubs in a similar situation to Keilor’s put him over the line.
“We thought he was the best candidate,” he said.
“He’s worked before with our reserves coach, who is now our senior assistant coach, and they’ll work really well together again.
“[Achille] has gotten a few clubs promoted, including one from state league 5 to state league 4, so he obviously has experience in these leagues as well as coaching in higher leagues.”
With the state league 5 season set to kick off in March, Keilor will have the perfect dress rehearsal at this month’s Brimbank Cup.
The event pits Brimbank’s many soccer clubs against each other, and this year it includes a team from Victoria Police.
Although it’s the underdog going into the event, Keilor will have the advantage of hosting the cup fixtures.
“The Brimbank Cup is probably the number one community tournament not just in Victoria but in the country,” Talevski said.
“I think we – along with the Football Federation of Victoria, Victoria Police and Brimbank council – can deliver a great tournament.”
