MILDURA young gun Thomas Floyd attributed much of his improvement this year to his outgoing coach Illario Cavallo.
Floyd was a standout in the Demons’ final round loss to Ouyen United last weekend, and was named the SFNL Round 18 Rising Star winner.
The outside wingman said he was proud of the way he had developed in his first season of Sunraysia senior football.
“He’s taught me a lot over the year and he’s brought the boys all closer,” Floyd said of his coach. “We all love each other, which is good.”
The camaraderie that exists in the team has been one of their strengths this season, Floyd said, and helped “the boys play quite strong” despite finishing back in eighth place.
“We’re young as a team and him bringing us all closer has made us better as a team,” Floyd said.
The love is certainly mutual, with Cavallo referring to Floyd as “favourite” because “he always listens to everything”.
“He does everything you want as a coach,” Cavallo said.
“He brings his energetic personality (to the team) which gets everyone up and about. For a little man he tackles contests really well.
“His ability to cover the ground and accumulate the ball is another one of his strengths.
“In terms of a person that listens and takes everything in and tries to get better, there is no one better than him.”
Floyd said he would aim to keep improving next season.
“I just want to get better in every way,” he said. “You can always improve, always get better.”
As the SFNL round 18 Rising Star winner, Thomas receives $50 from Mildura & District Real Estate, 62-64 Commercial Street, Merbein.
