Stayin' alive with Lovell

by LES EVERETT

WHEN he spoke last week East Perth coach Andy Lovell was in an unusual position.

His team's last performance had been its best for the season but after sitting out the bye in round 20 the Royals dropped out of the four. Lovell could be coaching a team capable of winning a premiership or maybe it won't see finals action at all.

andy lovell 2004

East Perth coach Andy Lovell at Leederville Oval. Photo by Les Everett

"It's been good really," Lovell said, "we've had to focus on winning each game to stay alive rather than worrying about the end result."

To make the finals the team must play its style of running football correctly and Lovell feels the signs are that things are coming together. Forwards Troy Wilson, Paul Ridley and Andrew Merrington spell danger for opposition teams but the Royals need to use them effectively.

"We've been focussing on use of the ball and option taking at training and it's starting to bear fruit," Lovell said, "Merrington has really straightened us up and it's good that we haven't had to rely on Paul Ridley as much as we did last year."

Merrington is one of a number of Victorian recruits who came to East Perth this year but Lovell said they have received no favours. "The media and some members and fringe players had an issue with the interstate recruits but we've still been able to give local kids opportunities and we pick blokes on form," Lovell said.

"We targetted professional blokes in our recruiting and it's good for our young players to see the way they prepare, in fact having quality players around is an advantage for the colts coming up and helps to fast track them."

Lovell believes the standard of the WAFL competition has lifted this year and any move to turn it into purely a development competition should be resisted.

"The more good players we have the more interest there will be in the competition," he said, "we need good quality players and if some of them come from Melbourne so be it."

With 20 new players on the list in 2004 Lovell said some reflecting on the history of the club had been necessary. Barry Cable, the coach of the remarkable 1978 premiership team, had spoken to the players and footage of the recent triple premiership years had been examined. "The new blokes appreciate knowing about the history of the club," the coach said, "this group is beginning to develop its own culture."

Meanwhile Lovell is keeping an eye on the many movements in AFL coaching ranks and makes no secret of his desire to return to the top level.

He has physical education qualifications and believes he could bring both a fitness and a football element to an assistant's role at an AFL club. "I think the next step in coaching is providing that interface and having footy specific conditioning." The important roles played by Adam Larcom at Fremantle and Stephen Tingay at Melbourne are examples of where coaching is heading according to Lovell.

East Perth is one of three teams jostling for two available final four spots. The Royals meet the other two, Swan Districts and South Fremantle in rounds 22 and 23. There are interesting times ahead for the East Perth Football Club and Andy Lovell's CV.

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