Tara Murray
Western Suburbs are showing they won’t be easy beats in the FV state league 2 north-west season.
After just avoiding relegation last season, the side has looked to strengthen their side to be competitive at this level.
Club media coordinator Sasha Pete said they were happy with how it was panning out so far.
“Coach Harry Matkovic had put together a squad to be competitive at this level,” he said.
“The first goal for us was to maintain a strong financial viability. President Charlie Iacovou and vice-president Chris Pantelidis have a fantastic network of business partners that come in and support the club.
“We’ve now been able to amass a playing group in order to produce.”
Pete said Matkovic, who is in his first season as coach at the club, had been successful coaching at this level, so he knows what is needed to be competitive at this level.
He said they had added about a dozen players this season.
“We have a deep squad to compete at this level,” he said. “Many of the players have played at a higher level, which will hold us in good stead for state league 2.
“We’re happy with how we’re going so far and we know that the team will take time to gel.”
Western Suburbs have a 2-1 record at the Easter break and even in the match they lost they were competitive.
Pete said they had strong pre-season form against teams that play in higher grades, which gave them confidence for the season ahead.
While they’ve started the season strong, Pete said they weren’t getting ahead of themselves.
“The goal is to be competitive,” he said.
“We have pedigree at a higher level having been relegated in 2016. This year we want to consolidate and have some good form.
“The ambition long term is to go back to our roots and play at a higher level.”
Western Suburbs face Hume United this Saturday.
