Widely regarded as one of the Bendigo Football League’s most damaging ruckman last year, Joel West is still yet to commit to the Roos for Season 2010. He tells new Central Vic Footy reporter Travis Windridge his dilemma, his current battle with injury and more……………….

Joel West welcome to Central Vic Footy for season 2010.

Congratulations on a great year with Kangaroo Flat last year. Flat managed to play a great brand of football come finals time last year and even came close to causing an upset in the Preliminary Final. How would rate last year, compared to other years you have played country footy?

Last year was fantastic for the KFFNC, 2009 was the best result the seniors have had in about 8 or 9 years. The netball was also very successful with having 4 teams in the grand final. As for my year I was very happy, although at the start of the year I had a few hamstring problems they eventually fixed as the year went on, I believe that being a little bit fitter helped a lot in having a good year in the BFL. I would say that 09 was the best footy I have played at a senior grade, but also I have to commend my team mates for having quality players around me to make it possible for me to play a good brand of footy. Having those good players enabled me to free up a bit and get more ball around the ground.

Individually do you think you were a lot more consistent last year and covered a lot more territory in the ruck than previous seasons?

Well because I was a little bit more fitter than previous years it enabled me to cover more ground and it enables you to be consistent because being in the ruck gives you a lot of opportunities to get the ball and even when you’re having a off day your always near the ball so you can always pick up a few possessions.  I have always aimed at playing consistent footy so that my team mates can rely on me a bit, you look at players like Brendan Heire and Harry Maddern, they play good football every week and you can rely on them when things get tough. That is what I am striving for.

 

Now to the season ahead in 2010, Joel West is yet to commit to a club yet, what are you weighing up for season 2010? Who is in the running for your services?

Well I have a couple of big weeks ahead of me at the moment, and certain things could have an effect on what I do in 2010 so it is very hard to make a decision. I have just two clubs at the moment and that is Kflat and Wedderburn, I have a mate that is coach at Wedderburn so it is a possibility. Although I cannot make a decision for another two weeks as yet and it would be very hard to leave Kflat, I have been a part of a great team at the flat and I think Murry Collins will do a great job.

Have you been doing much individual training? Is your body ready for a big 2010?

  It has been hard to train too much because I am restricted at the moment, although regular running and little things like that I hope have kept me in ok fitness. My body is not ready for 2010 as yet but im hoping that when I hit the ground it will be ready, although I believe that your never truly ready for the first game it normally takes a few games to get the body into game day fitness.   

You have already had some experience in VFL level with the Bendigo Bombers before moving across to the Flat. Do you hope to again have a crack at VFL?

Well I have considered of late with my move to Melbourne for work so if I can get a few things right with my body and be able to get fit enough I might have a look at going back, I would do a pre season training and see how my body feels and see if I can handle VFL, but it defiantly has been a consideration.

What do you get up to outside of Football as far as employment/studies?

Well I am still at uni for my final year doing business, I have been working holidays for a company in Melbourne and that is where I will go full time at the end of my course.  

Thanks for giving Central Vic Footy some of your time Westy and all the best for the 2010 season ahead.

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