Albanvale has found its replacement for grand final coach Nick Smith, with Ange Messina set to lead the Cobras for the 2024 Western Region Football League season.
Messina is no stranger to the club, being a previous player and reserve coach in 2015 and 2016. He now returns to the club with years of coaching experience across all divisions in the WRFL.
Messina started his coaching journey at the Cobas in the role of reserves coach, before moving to West Footscray in 2019 also as the reserves coach. From there he moved to North Sunshine as senior coach for the Covid affected seasons of 2020 and 2021. Most recently he coached the reserves side at the Yarraville-Seddon Eagles.
Now, he said he is ready to take the Cobras forward.
“It’s always exciting to return to somewhere where you played some footy and also started your coaching career,” he said.
“To return to a club that’s always been reasonably competitive, although not winning premierships they’ve been a successful and feared side for a period of time.
“I feel like I’ve got a good grasp of the league and how footy’s played and the things that we need to keep doing or improve on to keep pace with everyone.”
Next season the Cobras will be a part of the division 2 as the WRFL moves to a two division structure, however, it is something that Messina is embracing.
“It will certainly provide an extra element of challenges for us, but ones that we are really excited by,” he said.
“We don’t also expect to dip too much either.
“We still expect to be competitive with the best sides and hopefully we’re there when the whips are cracking at the end of the year.
“Another five minutes or another goal in the grand final and rather than a forced promotion, we’re taking our rightful place in division 2.
“So we’re not daunted by the step up, it’s going to be a challenge, it’s going to be a step up, but we’re certainly not daunted.”
To ensure the club is able to compete in the expanded division 2 competition next season, Messina said there are a few things that need to be done over the off season.
“First of all, it’s about keeping the current list, that’s my main priority,” he said.
“The club has a great culture with great people, and people move on from footy clubs for different reasons, but where we can keep people, I certainly want to keep that successful group and culture together.
“One of the things that I’m really looking forward to is working hard on bringing in a little bit more youth.
“Youth always adds a little bit of excitement to any club.”
After making the grand final last season, Nick Smith decided to leave his post at the club. Messina said that the club has had a long history of hiring good coaches, and said he feels privileged to now hold the role.
“They’re quality football people and quality coaches, so to be following in their footsteps is quite humbling,” he said.
“I wake up every day and think, ‘what a group I’m following’ but I’m quite excited by it.”
