A FEW minutes are all it takes to discover how passionate Simon Tindall is about his adopted football home East Warrnambool.
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He’s been at the Bombers for less than two seasons but has already bought into their long-term vision to rise up the ladder.
Rewind to the start of 2013 and it was mates — namely Tom Hopkins and Kevin Moloney — who drew him to Reid Oval in the first place.
But, such is the influence of third-year coach Paul Butters, competitive ambitions are as big a reason why he wants to stay.
If there was any doubt there was light at the end of the tunnel for the Bombers, Tindall, 21, is quick to argue otherwise.
And he’s adamant Butters is the right man for the job. His transformation into one of the better rebounding defenders in the league is proof.
“I took football seriously as a kid when I was in the under 16s at CBC because my coach back then (Gerard Sully), he was a real big influence,” Tindall said.
“Then I took it easier after that. Last year wasn’t one of my best years of football but this year Buttsy has pushed the younger boys to stand up.”
Tindall is one of those younger boys. And he has stood up better than most, holding up the backline during the Bombers’ 2-7 start.
He credits Sully and Butters, the two most influential coaches in his career, for shaping him as a footballer.
“As a kid, Gerard really moulded me as a person and I really appreciate that. But Buttsy, these last two years I can’t fault him,” he said.
But beyond his own exploits, Tindall said he gets the most enjoyment from football watching those around him improve. “It’s not my individual performances or doing things myself, it’s seeing the younger boys get better. That’s why I think I’ve had a good season,” he said.
East Warrnambool takes on Nirranda at Timboon Recreation Reserve today hoping to lift itself closer to the middle of the ladder than the bottom.
An upset victory would represent the progress the Bombers have made, although their win tally is already equal with what they posted last season.
“We haven’t gone so bad this year. Last year was completely different and next year hopefully we take a bigger step forward,” Tindall said.
afawkes@fairfaxmedia.com.au
