SANFL News
15 Jun 2009
PERSISTENT PIASENTE
Among the most experienced footballers at West Adelaide, David Piasente is the heart and soul of the Bloods.
His Italian father, Cam, came out to Australia as a four year old and David was born on Phillip Island, but moved to Sale as a youngster and played all his junior football with the Magpies, already being promoted to their A grade side in the West Gippsland-Latrobe Football League against bigger stronger bodies by the time he was 16.
Being the youngest of four brothers (Simon, Matthew and Andrew being siblings), Piasente was always up for the challenge.
“All my older brothers liked a fight,” Piasente said.
“I didn’t get picked for the Gippsland Power in the TAC Cup as a lot of my mates did, which was a bit of a kick in the guts.
“But I had a great childhood and Dad was a strong role model with his tremendous work ethic.”
At the end of 2001 he received a phone call from long time West Adelaide administrator, Doug Thomas, which changed his football direction.
“Doug’s phone call was the spark I needed,” explained Piasente.
“I came over and trained for a week before Christmas and signed up after that.
“Ian Borchard was my first coach and he took a bit of a liking to me.
“After the first eight games in the twos, I debuted against Glenelg at the Bays and we had a win.”
Currently vice captain of the club and now 26, the 181 cm, 81 kg utility was the on-field leader for two and a half seasons, taking over from Luke Norman.
Piasente explained the passion, senior footballers around the club including Ed Richardson, Dean Howard and Luke Norman showed, had a strong influence on him.
“You never wanted to let those guys down,” he said.
“I also lived with Tim Symes and Chris Barrett - they had important roles as mentors to me as well.
“I often think about the impact this group has had on me.” Having played through one of the most unsuccessful periods in the Bloods history, which has included the last four wooden spoons, he is pretty happy with the current upward trend for the boys from Richmond (City Mazda) oval.
“If we keep going along these lines, as we had a pretty tight knit group I can see some sustained success in the future.”
“I love to see this group stay together for the next three to four years.”
A footballer who loved the way Mark Harvey attacked the ball, you can see the essence of the Essendon champion in Piasente style of play.
Noted as a player with solid skills, along a desire and commitment which is second to none, Piasente is keen to give the faithful supporters something to cheers about as he endeavoured to work towards to 200-game SANFL milestone over the next five years.
His coach Andy Collins was also full of praise for the man wearing the number 22 black and red jumper.
“The first thing that comes to mind when referring to David Piasente is character,” coach Andy Collins said.
“He always gives 100 per cent no matter what the score line or time of the game.
“He has strong leadership qualities reminding me a lot in style of Collingwood’s Nick Maxwell.
“David is the type of player the club is built around, having the culture you desire in your entire squad.
“Until Simon Munn gets there is a few weeks he is our only current 100 game player at the Bloods.”
A confirmed greenie, who works as a landscaper, Piasente (who still drives a Kingswood station wagon) said he is definitely a country boy at heart, who suggested after his playing days are over he would definitely be residence close to some waves.
Before that happens this Victorian expatriate is looking for finals success at West Adelaide. Courtesy of Peter Argent. First published in Inside Football. |
|
|
||||||||
| Home > NEWS > SANFL News | Tweet | Share on Facebook |
|
|
|
|
||||
| News |
The SANFL |
Game Development |
AAMI Stadium |
Other | |
