By Michael Esposito
WHEN Werribee coach Paul Satterley addresses his players during a match, he will invariably mention the tackle count and use it as a barometer of how his side is performing.
This season, Will Martinello, more than any other player, has produced the type of relentless football Satterley has insisted on.
Martinello has become the master of the one-percenter in an era where the one-percenter has a far greater value, given the rise of the forward press.
The 21-year-old is leading Werribee’s team player of the year award, which tallies players’ individual tackles, spoils, smothers and shepherds.
He heads the award in front of vice-captain Robbie Castello and captain Dominic Gleeson.
Martinello said he has relished his more prominent role in the midfield this season.
“I had a talk to Satts at the start of the year. He wanted me to become one of those permanent midfielders in the team and at the moment I’m doing that so I’m pretty happy with that so far,” he said.
“I always just try to do the team things. Satts is always pushing that side of the game, that workman-like game style we have at times. I always like to get my tackles up.”
With Satterley introducing a game plan that is based on AFL affiliate North Melbourne’s, the application of perceived pressure has become even more important.
“The whole team took a while to adapt to it at the start of the year but I think we’re all getting used to it,” Martinello said. “The backline is getting used to their game style and I think it works well, and personally I enjoy it too. Especially when you go up forward you get to play a bit more up the ground.”
Martinello said Satterley signing on as a full-time coach has been a significant factor in Werribee’s new lease of life, after last season yielded just four wins.
“Satts coming on as a full time coach has helped a lot, he’s got a lot more time to talk to players individually and so forth and work on game plans.”
Martinello has been one of Werribee’s most consistent players since joining the club in 2009, to the point that he is often mentioned in the same breath as long-serving club men Gleeson and Castello, despite his relatively young career at Werribee.
“It feels like I’ve been here for longer than three years already I reckon,” he said.
The boy from north-eastern Victoria came to the Tigers from TAC Cup side Murray Bushrangers and said moving from the country and leaving his family was a daunting experience.
But the club helped him get a full-time job and Martinello is now sharing a house in Tarneit with three other teammates and fellow country boys Bradley Mangan, Farren Priest and Nathan Laracy.
While he has been pleased with his season so far, Martinello said there was one aspect of his game in particular he wanted to improve.
“I’d like to kick a few more goals. I’ve missed a few I should have got,” he said.
