It could get worse before it gets better for struggling Western Region Football League club Tarneit.
The Titans finished last season third last in division 3, winning just five matches but now udder the league’s new divisional structure the Titans are now a division 2 side and will be tasked with playing last season’s top second tier sides.
New coach Vinnie Turcinovich said the league’s changes could “kill” clubs.
“I think three divisions was going to be the best result, especially if we’ve got 14 clubs in division 2, you can have a seven and seven,” he said.
“Not just kill clubs but you’re going to get players that are going to lose interest, especially if you’re playing Sunshine who was in division 1 two years ago.
“If you [were in the] bottom three or four of division 3, you’re going to have a hard year, that’s for sure.
“So I’m hoping we don’t lose too many players losing too much interest because of results, but time will tell.”
Turcinovich said the build to be a competitive side within division 2 could be a slow one, fearing that the Titans could struggle.
“It’s going to be two or three years, especially when you get a new coach going to a club,” he said.
“It’s going to be challenging, not just for us, it’s going to be challenging for all division 3 clubs.
“Maybe you’re top two (division 3 clubs) can scrounge a win or two but I think it’s going to be one-sided, and I think the league should have done a little bit better than that.”
In the short time that Turcinovich has been at the club he said it has been about making the Titans build a whole club effort. With him relying on his senior players such as Josh Stone and reigning best and fairest winner, Zach Thornton to lead the way throughout the pre-season.
“It’s been about educating the players, educating the club, educating the committee to everyone playing their role and working hard to their role,” he said.
“At the same time the players need to commit and invest the time that it takes to get better.
“That’s probably the one thing that I’m trying to educate them on at the moment is to teach them that if you want to get the best out of yourself we need to turn up to training and stuff like that.
“Overall it’s been pretty good but there’s still a long way to go.”
