D’Agostino hopes to continue International’s success in 2020 season

Christian Cella And Tony Dagostino Tbj 3094  TBW Newsgroup
BACK ON BOARD: International Soccer Club A Grade captain Christian Cella and coach Tony D'Agostino are ready for the approaching Limestone Coast Football Association season. Picture: JAMES MURPHY

Christian Cella And Tony Dagostino Tbj 3094 TBW Newsgroup
BACK ON BOARD: International Soccer Club A Grade captain Christian Cella and coach Tony D’Agostino are ready for the approaching Limestone Coast Football Association season. Picture: JAMES MURPHY

TONY D’Agostino is on board for his 14th year as coach of International Soccer Club’s A Grade side.

The 2020 Limestone Coast Football Association season is fast approaching and D’Agostino will hope to lead his team to its 13th premiership under his command, aided by brother Joe and Tony Bueti as assistant coaches.

Last year injuries tested the club, but everything came together when it counted for a thrilling finals campaign, which saw the black and blue defend their title.

“We achieved something last year that was memorable – a lot of people had probably written us off early and we probably even surprised our own supporters,” Tony D’Agostino said.

“We took out the cup and also the premiership – so we had a pretty good year – but it was tough.”

The Inter roster appears relatively unchanged from the 2019 premiership lineup, aside from the prolonged absence of defender Lachie Charlton, who will spend the season on the sidelines due to an ACL injury sustained in last year’s elimination final.

There is also doubt to whether Dan Bronca will don the black and blue this year due to work commitments.

As far as recruits go there is little to report at this early stage, but there have been a few familiar faces on the training track.

“Marcus Morony has been out for a couple of years, but he has changed his work so it gives an opportunity for him to come out and train,” D’Agostino said.

“Hopefully he will come into the team.

“There are a couple of other players who have not played for a while who have also been training, but I will not say anything until they decide.”

Despite last year’s success, Inter certainly did it the hard way, finishing in third place after the minor rounds to be faced with three must-win games to claim the cup.

Long-serving captain Christian Cella looks forward to kick off and said a goal for the team this year will be to put itself in a position which will make things easier come the pointy end of the season.

Cella has captained the A Grade team for nine years – with this year to be his 10th – and has not lost a grand final he has played in during that time.

The only year of his captaincy where he did not raise the cup on grand final day was in 2016, where Inter did not make the season decider.

“We are looking forward to trying to defend the title again and the cup,” Cella said.

“We probably want to get that minor premiership back too – we did not win it last year.

“That is probably another goal for us because that sort of shows you have been consistent throughout the year.

“We are looking forward to the challenges that other clubs will throw at us.”

An exciting aspect of Inter’s game will continue to be the junior talent which has bolstered the senior ranks over the last few seasons.

“Those players we were using last year – the Under 17 kids – they have that extra year of experience now,” D’Agostino said.

“They won two flags last year and will take that next step for us.”

Tyler Michielan is now out of Under 17’s and will be a permanent senior player, while D’Agostino mentioned a few others he expects big things from.

“Kaleb Gentile is another kid who is going to step up this year,” he said.

“And of course Connor Prior and Austin Rossi – who we have been talking about for two or three years because they have been a part of that senior squad.

“It gives them an opportunity to now get in and possibly take on that role permanently.”

Despite his impressive track record, D’Agostino said the credit goes to the players who give their all every year.

“To me I do not really look at premierships I have won, I look at premierships the boys have won and that I was a part of,” he said.

“I have had a small part to play, but the credit goes to the guys who put those boots on and go out every week and play.

“I am very proud and just glad to be a part of it to be honest.”

In terms of a game plan, D’Agostino said there are a few things which will be put in place for the year ahead, in order to keep the team as competitive as possible.

“You can not stop learning and you can not stop developing,” he said.

“The moment you think you have a winning formula, someone will come out and beat it and do it differently.

“You have to keep on top of it – it does not matter where you are, what age you are, or how much success you have had.”