MACCA'S CuP – rOuNd 4 - sanfl

the end of the season for long
term success.’’
Bassett said the coaching panel
had structured a training program
and trained the players
consistently in a game style that it
thought could bring Norwood
future success.
“We encourage their (the players)
strengths while working with them
to improve in the areas of their
and the team’s game that needs it.
“Whether it makes us a force or
not isn’t up to me.’’
Former Port Adelaide Magpies
and Adelaide Crows forward
Bryan Beinke is coaching the
Reserves and is the defensive
coach with the League side.
Former Norwood rover Scott
Borlace, who retired after last
season, is looking after the
forwards and is working with the
midfield, while former Norwood
and Collingwood player Ben
Wilson is the midfield coach.
Bassett believes that Norwood is
VERSATILE key position
player Sam Rowe believes
the new coaches at Norwood
have created a much different
feeling around the football club
this year.
“With (last year’s caretaker
coach) Jarrod Cotton (work
commitments) now also leaving
the job we have all new
coaches with a lot of ideas,’’
Rowe said.
“I think as long as we stick to
the structures that Bass
(Nathan Bassett) and the
coaches have come up with we
will be a very, very competitive
team this year.
“As a coach Bass brings a lot
of footy smarts.’’
Rowe, 22, said that Bassett
understood the game very well
and was good at
communicating his ideas.
“I think he provides a lot more
on the way back to the top after
struggling in recent seasons.
“What we do have now is financial
stability and a clear direction of
what it takes to succeed,’’ he said.
“There are short cuts to success
but these rarely prove fruitful.’’
Bassett said the club had a group
of young men at under-17 and
under-16 level who he believed
would be the backbone of the
football club for the next decade.
“Currently most are too young to
have much of an impact at senior
level but we do have many players
between 19 and 23 that have their
best football in front of them.’’
He said that the club had not
looked to go on a major recruiting
drive but instead would
concentrate on its youth.
“Some of our younger players that
should or already have played this
year include Michael Ialeggio, Gavin
Roberts, Mitch Grigg, Ben Jefferies
and Cameron Shenton while we will
be looking for continued
information to players about
where to set up and this will be
very helpful to the younger
guys in particular.’’
Rowe said that despite the
team’s winless start to the
season the team’s hopes of
being competitive and
consistent had not changed.
“If we do that we will win our
fair share of games,’’ he said.
“Personally, I would like to
step my game up another level
and be the best forward in
the competition.
“Last year (when the Redlegs
missed the finals) was a very
disappointing one for us
because we expected to be a
lot more competitive than
we were.’’
Rowe, who joined Norwood
in 2008, has played 37
games for the Redlegs in a
variety of positions, in defence
and attack.
improvement from players like
Mark Evans, Brady Dawe and Dean
Terlich.’’
He still keeps a close watch on
the Adelaide Crows and he said
their success this season would
depend on how they rebound from
their recent poor run with injuries
and this also applies to the
Redlegs.
“At their best they (the Crows) can
finish high on the ladder but if this
run with injuries then they could
struggle. ‘’
Apart from his football
involvement, Bassett also
has played cricket and bowls
this summer.
“I’ll be suiting up again for the ISC
Raptors in amateur soccer
this year.
“I also fancy myself as a cook and
spend too many hours at the
Central Markets.’’
Bassett also is a devoted
family man with wife Nicole and
daughter Charlotte.
Sam Rowe
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