Coach unsure of his future

 

September 14 2012

Shepparton News

The fate of Shepparton United senior coach Aaron Westervelt will not be decided until next month, at the Goulburn North East Football Association club’s next annual general meeting.

The former National Soccer League player joined the Blues as a playing coach at the start of the season and immediately led them to the inaugural Regional Premier League minor premiership.

However, the club was eliminated from the finals series in straight sets, following surprise defeats to Shepparton and Cobram Victory.

Westervelt said he was ‘‘still trying to work out’’ where it went wrong and was hopeful of getting another opportunity to take the cup to Central Park.

‘‘I really enjoyed the year and now I’ve got unfinished business, so I would love another crack,’’ Westervelt said.

‘‘We played good football all year and obviously to win the flag you have to be pretty consistent and get it spot on week in, week out.

‘‘Overall, you want to make the grand final and it would have been great to win both.’’

In last Sunday’s preliminary final the Blues were brought undone by Cobram Victory’s relentless forward pressure, which made it difficult to play the ball out of defence.

Westervelt admitted the third goal was the fatal blow, but said conceding two goals in the opening 20 minutes was costly.

‘‘We didn’t defend smart enough and with the quality of players we brought in you would think that wouldn’t have been a problem,’’ he said.

‘‘You can’t afford to make stupid mistakes against good sides and for some reason we like to give teams charity.’’

Westervelt said if he had his time again the only thing he would do differently, would be to find a more suitable replacement for centre half Shaun Kelly — or have not allowed him to leave in the first place.

However, he said at the end of the day, ‘‘that’s football’’.

He also did not rule out the possibility of joining a rival RPL club.

‘‘I don’t mind Shepparton as a place and my wife and daughter love it,’’ Westervelt said.

‘‘I would love to stay at United, but if not I’ll look for other avenues to stay here.

‘‘I feel like I still have enough to offer as a player and if I have to step back from coaching, that’s what I’ll do.’’

As for this weekend’s grand final, Westervelt expects Cobram Victory to have too much firepower for Shepparton.