Keilor Park coach Luigi Oppedisano is hoping his players will be able to carry the momentum of their first win into the second half of the Essendon District Football League season.
After six losses in a row to start the year, Keilor Park broke its duck with a 35-point win over East Sunbury in round seven.
Although the Devils were brought back to earth in a 28.10 (178) – 7.5 (47) mauling by Roxburgh Park on Saturday, first-year coach Oppedisano said the win over East Sunbury had lifted a weight off his team’s shoulders.
“The pressure is nowhere near as high,” he said. “Being my first year at the club, it was great to get that first win on the board.”
After originally signing on as a playing assistant coach, not much has gone to plan for Oppedisano.
When former coach Andrew Bubb stood down in February, he jumped in the deep end and took on the senior role.
Then he injured his ankle against Moonee Valley in round four, which has kept him on the sidelines.
“The injury has been frustrating because I’m a player and I can’t be out there with the boys,” he said. “But we have to keep as much enthusiasm as we can and not lose faith.
“We have quite a few injuries but can’t blame our losses on that.”
Keilor Park will look to add to its win tally over the next fortnight, with back-to-back home games against Coburg Districts and Hadfield.
Oppedisano says his end goal is overall development of the playing group.
“To a certain extent, it does come down to wins and losses because, at the end of the day, that’s what the outside world looks at.
“Internally, we know where we’re at. This is a bit of a grounding year for me, not knowing what to expect in the competition.
“We want to focus on personal development, seeing who grows as a player. We want to re-enforce to the players that we’re heading in the right direction.”
