Same colours, different stripes. Same job, different league.
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New Osborne coach, Matt Rava, said he’s excited by the challenge that lies ahead after signing with the Hume League powerhouse.
The former Wagga Tigers mentor is looking forward to a fresh start but can’t shake a familiar feeling about the Cats.
“The list at Osborne is very similar to what Tigers have had and I think there’s success on the horizon, not too far away,” Rava said.
“I’m looking forward to getting there as quickly as we can.”
Rava was dumped as coach of Tigers after taking the club to within four points of a grand final appearance in his second season.
“Obviously it was pretty disappointing because I put a lot of time and effort into getting the group up and about, but that’s football,” he said.
“I’ve really enjoyed the coaching over the last couple of years and I’d like to think I’m getting better at it as I go.”
The list at Osborne is very similar to what Tigers have had and I think there’s success on the horizon.
- Matt Rava, Osborne coach
Rava takes over from Osborne’s longest serving coach, Daniel McAlister, whose five-year tenure was highlighted by the 2012 premiership.
The club missed the finals in first grade this year but were runners-up in reserve grade and took out a third straight Under 17 flag.
That’s what has the new coach excited about what lies ahead.
“I’m looking forward to working with Jacob Chant, Will Ryan, George Alexander and Isaac McDonald – there’s some good kids that remind me of the young Tigers fellas,” he said.
“It’ll be a similar game style to what we had.”
The switch to the Hume League club will present a fresh challenge for Rava, who has played all of his football at Tigers and Ganmain – where he enjoyed five Riverina League premierships.
Osborne president, Jason Gooden, said that experience and his efforts with Tigers caught their eye.
“We had a few spies out, including when they beat Gullie earlier in the year,” Gooden said.
“It’s very appealing what he’s done with Wagga Tigers.
“He’s a done a really good job with those young kids and I think he’ll suit us… we’ve got some good kids coming through and these kids just want to run.
“And he’s played in Ganmain premierships and we want that hunger.”
Rava is looking forward to re-joining a community club and understands the expectations of success.
“Obviously everyone’s first goal is to make finals – they missed out this year, which I know the whole community is dirty about,” he said.
“They're a successful club out there and they always like success, so we’re keen to get into finals first, but everyone wants to go as far as they can.”
Rava said the Cats are looking for a couple of mature players to complement their youth but he’ll have a better idea of their list in a couple of weeks – when he returns from a belated honeymoon, which has been on hold for the footy season.
