By LIAM TWOMEY
DAMIEN Yze is on a goal-scoring rampage.
The 38-year-old joined Glen Orden in the Western Region Football League off-season and has wasted no time establishing himself as the premier forward in Division Two.
After booting 16 goals in his first month of football with the Hawks, Yze stepped up his game even further, kicking 52 goals from his next six outings.
Those hauls included bags of 10 against Albanvale and Caroline Springs and 11 against North Sunshine.
In an off-season littered with high profile recruits throughout the competition, Yze is arguably at the top of the tree.
Entering the twilight of his playing career, the 38-year-old isn’t sure how much longer he is going to run rings around defenders but plans on enjoying every moment.
“Nick Diker (Glen Orden head coach) is my first cousin,” Yze said.
“As well as being related I am very good mates with him and this New Year’s just gone we had the discussion over a couple of drinks.
“He said give me one year at least. So that’s what I did.
“As far as my goals for this year, obviously everyone’s goal is to try and win the flag. The main thing that convinced me to play again … was about enjoying the year as well and enjoying the people at the club. It is a great bunch of blokes down there now and that was one of the main things for me. It’s been very enjoyable.”
Throughout Yze’s football career he has played in some of the best metropolitan and country competitions in the state.
He has also been a part of some of the most feared forward line set ups in local football. While playing in Shepparton, he was joined in the 50-metre arc by his brothers Adem and Ramadan as well as high flying Melbourne forward Russell Robertson.
Adem has already pulled on the Glen Orden jumper, as has former Geelong goal kicker Kent Kingsley.
With the prospect of Cameron Mooney also lacing up the boots for the Hawks, Yze said it is an exciting make up.
“If we end up having Adem coming in and Kent and then all of a sudden you are looking at a very strong forward line. You don’t see that often in local footy,” he said. “Kent is a powerful bloke and is a tough match up for AFL players let alone your local sides. He is a massive inclusion for us and has a great attitude to go with it. He just loves being around the footy club.”
With 2013 potentially Yze’s last season in local football, he has flagged a career as a coach as one of his post-playing aims.
“I just love being a part of a footy club and a cricket club. I love the camaraderie that comes with that,” he said.
“If I can get into a role where I can coach my own side … I would like to pass that on to younger guys and see kids grow because of that.”
