
By Ken Moore
KOOWEERUP has put its faith in two favourite sons to steer it into the future.
Rhys Morgan and Daniel Crowley, both born and bred in Kooweerup, have been appointed cocoaches for the 2007 season.
It is the first senior appointment for the young veterans who have each played more than 200 senior games in the EDFL.
Morgan is adamant the cocoach arrangement can work successfully.
“We know each other well. We’ve spoken about football with each other for many years so I know we think along the same lines and can make it work,” he said.
“We’re proud to have been appointed to the coaching position and intend to pay the club back. Our aim is to play finals football this year.”
Morgan gave an insight into both his and Crowley’s approach saying ‘Crowls’ was more tactical where he did more talking and ‘ranting and raving’.
“It’s been working well, we share the workload, but both agree there should be a big emphasis on run and clean skills and no shirking any issues,” he said.
Having lost plenty of experience in the off season many EDFL followers think the Demons will be hard pressed to improve upon last season’s elimination final appearance, but that’s not the case, according to Morgan.
“We’re on a par with last year. We can improve our attitude and we’ve picked up some good recruits including Pakenham’s Simon Ponter and Lang Lang’s Troy Datsun,” he said.
“Both can play a strong support role as assistant coaches, ‘Ponts’ with the forwards and ‘Datto’ can help across the backline.
“We’ve been labelled a slow side and we’ve been out to rectify that over the preseason and I’m confident a few of our recruits are quick and we are ready to go. We have underachieved in the past, but I think we now have a group of achievers that can turn into a champion team.”
Morgan is looking forward to working with the youngsters coming through the ranks, particularly the Demon under15 premiership players from last year.
He said he expected at least two of the fourths from last year to press for senior selection, but long term he is buoyed by the overall talent that he described as an inviting fiveyear project that should hold the club in good stead.
In other good news for the Demons, Morgan revealed that both he and Crowley were fitter than last season and supporters could expect both to set the example and perform at close to, if not at their optimum level this season.
“I am match fit now and fully recovered from the stress fractures I carried last season and Crowls has recovered from a summer knee arthroscope,” said the noticeably trim and enthusiastic Morgan.