By LIAM TWOMEY
A QUEST for redemption is carrying the Western Crusaders Gridiron Club through a tough summer of pre-season training.
The playing group is out to prove it can match it with the best clubs in the Gridiron Victoria League after narrowly missing a spot in last year’s finals series.
The Crusaders entered the final round of the season pitted against their rivals, the Warriors, in a must win battle to keep their season alive.
Having given up a 14-point lead at half time, the spirited club hit back like it was scripted in a Hollywood movie to close the margin.
Just as it looked like the comeback would be complete, the Crusaders were pipped at the post late in the match to go down by three points.
Club president Scott Hayden still hasn’t forgotten the circumstance, which saw his side come agonisingly close to a finals berth. He said the near miss was driving the playing group to reach greater heights in 2012.
“That’s why they have hit this pre-season so hard, because they are looking to make amends for that,” Hayden said.
“At this stage things are looking pretty good. I think the strength of the team this year will be our flexibility. There are a number of guys who can play in a variety of positions, which is good for us.
“Due to a few injuries and things like that last year our defence was really the better part of our game. We will be looking for those guys to keep that up this year but already the offence is going a lot better and has made some big strides.
“That will make us a lot more even team across the board through offence, defence and special teams.”
Even with the tough pre-season, finals will still be a challenge for the Crusaders as Gridiron Victoria League continues to expand.
Four new teams were launched last year to bring the competition total to nine, which was enough to create a two division playing system.
For those who sat back and watched Tom Brady and Eli Manning go head to head at this year’s Super Bowl and thought they would like to become involved, the Western Crusaders are always happy to take in new players, supporters or sponsors.
“We are lucky we have a really good playing group that look after each other,” Hayden said.
“Last year we actually had an issue of racism with a player from another team calling a player of ours something. It doesn’t dawn on us to even think of being like that. It’s one thing we have just taken for granted.
“We sat back and had a look at it after that and thought, you know what, we are actually lucky we have a great bunch of guys here that it doesn’t matter what nationality or what your beliefs are, you are more than welcome and you’re brought in with open arms to this club.”
For more details on how to become involved with the Western Crusaders, check out the club website westerncrusaders.com.au, or log onto the club’s frequently updated Facebook page.
