By LIAM TWOMEY
PLAYERS use different forms of motivation throughout the pre-season to get through gruelling session after gruelling session.
For Werribee captain Robbie Castello, he only needs to think back to last year’s preliminary final to get the inspiration to push that little bit harder.
The Tigers were a kick away from beating eventual premier Geelong in one of the games of the season at North Port Oval.
In front of a packed crowd, Werribee mounted a stunning late charge, coming from 48 points down to draw within a kick in the closing stages.
There would be no fairy-tale though with Geelong players embracing after the final siren while the Tigers slumped to the ground.
“That (preliminary final) is certainly something we have spoken about,” Castello said.
“We were a kick away from being in a grand final and it is a lot of hard work you put in during the pre-season to fall short like that.
“We said we don’t want to leave any stone unturned and we want to make sure that we are up and going early.
“We want to make sure we tick all the boxes at this time of year to make sure we have the fitness to be able to run out games and be a bit stronger and when it gets to that tight situation, to go on and get the win.”
Castello is preparing to enter his second season as Werribee captain after taking over the top job a little over 12 months ago.
He said last season was a great learning experience, working with first time coach Scott West.
“I think the biggest things I picked up were the way to communicate to the boys and learning from Scott’s knowledge of the game,” he said.
“I’m just looking to take it to another level now.
“We have a pretty strong squad this year so hopefully we can bounce ideas off some of the new mature age recruits who we have picked up and be a stronger leadership group.”
Castello will be joined in the club’s leadership group by vice captain Ben Ross, deputy vice Ben Warren and Nathan Laracy, Kris Pendlebury, Sam Wormald, Jake Wilson, Jarred Moore.
The Tigers have also welcomed a number of exciting recruits in the off-season including Michael Ross, Addam Maric and Brett Meredith.
Werribee will begin its 2013 campaign this week against Port Melbourne.
With the impressive additions to the playing list, Castello is confident his side is in a better position than at the same time last year.
“If you look at the players we have picked up … we have added a lot of experience to our group,” he said.
“Like every team you look to and expect to play finals.
“That is always the goal. Later on in the year you will reassess and see where you are at and that is what we will do. It is pretty early but at the moment our goal is to make finals and put our name up to challenge.”
