Returned home … Luke Molan in action against Albion — his final game for Spotswood. 66474 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
By Michael Esposito
SPOTSWOOD has started to get used to mounting a finals campaign without star player Luke Molan.
The prolific goalkicker returned to hometown club Camperdown last week and will play the rest of the season in the Hampden league.
Spotswood coach Chris O’Keefe said Molan returned to the south-east for “personal reasons”.
“We knew about it a couple of weeks ago,” O’Keefe said.
“He was going to try and stick out the year but just decided that he’ll play down there for the rest of the year.
“It’s disappointing because he’s a terrific guy and he’s a very valuable team member, but in saying that we understand he’s got to do what’s best for him.”
Young up-and-comer Matt Taylor, who kicked three goals in Spotswood’s 36-point win against Port Melbourne on Saturday, could be the one to step up and try to cover the void left by Molan, who kicked 32 goals in 10 games for the Woodsmen this year.
“Matt Taylor in last month or so has been a bit of an understudy … so it’s an opportunity for him to step up now,” O’Keefe said.
“He’s been progressing really well. It’s been good to get plenty of senior games into him this year and his confidence is just growing each week.
“It’s really pleasing to see a kid come out of the juniors and continue to impress, and he’s going to be a real player of the future.”
The downside to Spotswood’s win was Dean Chandler breaking his collarbone in the last quarter.
Port Melbourne gave Spotswood a fright after being three goals up at half-time, but Spotswood exhibited its ability to score goals quickly, and kicked 10 goals in the third quarter to win 18.24 (132) to 14.12 (96).
O’Keefe said it was pleasing to bounce back after its 13-point loss to Albion the week before.
“We were pretty disappointed with our discipline against Albion … but in saying that it happened and they were the better team on the day.
“It just goes to show that we can never afford to get ahead of ourselves, which is a really good lesson to learn.
“It doesn’t matter who wins what during the year, it all just comes down to the day.”
