FOR David Iaccarino the news that he had the opportunity to play an additional season in the TAC Cup was one to be seized.
Western Jets’ Talent Manager Shane Sexton delivered the news at the end of last season that Iaccarino had the chance to play the 2013 season as one of the club’s 19-year-olds.
Certainly, Iaccarino didn’t need much think music before deciding to take up the offer.
Jets’ coach Torin Baker said Iaccarino, who was limited to just 10 games last season because of school commitments, hadn’t received the same chance as many other players to showcase his potential.
Baker said Iaccarino showed enough quality when he did play last season to suggest that he would benefit from another season in the TAC Cup season.
Iaccarino endured a shoulder reconstruction in 2011 following the first intra-club match, which erased his ‘bottom age’ season with the Jets.
While he played 10 games last season, the Jets’ coaching staff and officials believed Iaccarino, given his injury-interrupted time would derive great benefit from another season in the TAC Cup.
“They felt I had not fully reached my potential,” Iaccarino said.
“It was really good to know the club supported and had faith in me.
“Shane (Sexton, the Jets Talent Manager) was always supportive when I hurt my shoulder and he has always been positive.
“He pretty much told me straight away after the season that they wanted me back. I was pretty excited to come back for another year.”
Iaccarino said he’s not troubled by his shoulder and has the confidence to tackle any situation with thinking about how it will hold up.
Baker has Iaccarino playing midfield and it was in that role that he proved decisive in the club’s two-point win against Calder Cannons.
Iaccarino collected 30 possessions, took nine handball received and as many marks and even had a hit-out in a performance that saw him awarded the maximum TAC Cup votes.
“In such a tight game, his ability to win the contested footy – he had 13 contested ball – and his use of the footy was fantastic as well,” Baker said.
“He is just a guy who keeps going all day. He is fantastic in one-on-one contests and he is such a versatile player who can play down back and in the midfield and I’m sure if we threw him down forward he could kick some goals for us as well.”
Certainly, Iaccarino’s experience and physical strength has been telling in the early stages of the season.
“It was good to get a win over our rivals Calder and also get a few possessions at the same time,” Iaccarino said.
“I was fortunate enough for some of my teammates to win the ball and feed it out to me. I’ve got them to thank.”
Not to mention the Jets’ hierarchy who believed in him to give him another TAC Cup season.
Last Modified on 24/04/2013 13:15