Welcome to the Off Season and a series of interviews and profiles which will help us get to know our SFC personnel just that little bit better. Keep checking the website for interviews with players – both senior and junior – as well as coaches and club officials.
Ash Arrowsmith
It’s often said the measure of a footballer’s ability is his performance in big games and to that end, Ash Arrowsmith has already made a name for himself in that regard. As an 18-year-old, Ash put in a best-on-ground 4 goal performance to see his Calder Cannons trounce the highly fancied Murray Bushrangers to win the 2007 TAC Cup Grand Final. Just a couple of months ago, Ash was again among the best players when Strathmore beat Aberfeldie in an epic encounter to win the EDFL Premier Division flag.
Despite his relatively youthful 25 years, Ash has been a bit of a journeyman since playing his junior football at East Keilor. A couple of years at Calder (2006-07) then rookie drafted by the West Coast Eagles where he found himself allotted to Peel Thunder in 2008-09. A return to Melbourne in 2010 saw him spend a couple of seasons at Northern Bullants in the VFL. In 2012, Ash decided he wanted to return to his footballing roots in the Essendon District;
“Apart from having my younger brother Ryan playing at Strathmore and the urge to play with him, there were a lot of the boys that I went to school with that were too. The club previously were very successful, were willing to give their junior kids a go at making it and recruited the right people. I followed Yakka (Adam Iacobucci) across from the Bullants and Horny (Andrew Horne) returned from over in SA, so felt the club was a good fit for me.”
It seemed like a good fit all around. Arrow, as he has been known most of his life is involved with the family business, AAA Glass as an experienced Glazier. His significant other is partner Grace, and he graces the field with the number 8 jumper.
So far as career highlights, it is quite an impressive CV. Vic Metro representative, TAC CUP premiership – with Best on Ground honours, Rookie drafted to the West Coast Eagles and most recently, the 2014 EDFL premiership. Indeed, to illustrate the quality of football Arrow has been involved in, he lists Trent Cotchin as the best player he has played with. He nominates Robert Hyde & David Flood (Calder Cannons), John Worsfold (WCE), David Teague (Northern Bullants), Digby Morell (now with West Coburg) and Craig Clinnick (Strathmore) as the most notable coaches to influence his career.
While predominantly a midfielder, a more permanent shift to Centre Half Back by coach Craig Clinnick was a master stroke in 2014. Arrow controlled the half back line, took many a saving mark deep in defence as well as linked up with the running back flankers in a real ‘general’ role. Ash is always giving of his time. 2015 will be his 4 season in the Gold and Blue and we hope there are many more to come.
Arrow’s favourite flick is ‘Old School’ and he enjoys a CC & Dry when letting his hair down. He volunteered that the coaches pet at the club is Doctor (Karl Staudt) and when asked which team mate spent most time in front of the mirror, he struggled to split Mayzie, Funky, Sinno, Twiggy (peppy) & the Grima’s.
As a footnote, players are asked to contribute a ‘selfie’ for this segment hence the reason we haven’t gone with the traditional jumper shot!
