A somewhat disappointing season for the Silverhawks ended last week when they fell to Dukes in Novi Sad for their sixth loss of the season. One of the bright spots on the team was David Turšič, who recorded 2nd best five interceptions in the league while playing safety.
Are you satisfied with how your season went?
No, I expected a better season this year. The main problem we had is that we lost too many of our older players. I’m with the team since the beginning, which is around five years now, and at that time I was one of the youngest. Now, I’m not the oldest, but I’m one of the most experienced, and there are just three or four guys left from before.
What about the future of the team?
We’ll need a year or two to get back where we were. We had a lot of young players, 17-18 years old this year, and the level of play is too high for them right now. They’re not physically there yet, and they can’t play with older, bigger players from other teams we played this year.
So how does SELAF compare to the previous leagues you played in?
Technically I think it’s on a lower level than Alpe-Adria league in which we played before, but the players are better athletes; they’re stronger and better prepared.
You played a lot of positions this year, what do you normally play?
I played safety and quarterback this year. Before, I was a wide receiver, not even a starting safety, more of a second string safety and a starting receiver. Our coach, Matt Penko played quarterback, but he retired, so I had to play this year.
And the way you played?
I can say I’m satisfied with how I did playing safety, but it’s the team that matters. As a quarterback, I can’t say that I am.
As a team, you can always play better. We lacked practice time, I started playing quarterback in February, it was a new position for me. Maybe I would’ve been better if I had some of the older players around me, since I was just a rookie quarterback. But primarily I’m still a wide receiver and a safety.
What about next year?
I hope I’ll play in the Austrian league; I’m talking with a few teams. They get new players in December, so I have to wait until then to know for sure. But it’s 90% I’ll play there next year. I hope it will be closer to home, so I could just drive there.
I would go as a safety/receiver, and then the coaches would decide. I expect to be the starting safety, and maybe a third receiver. Americans usually play quarterback, running back and receiver.
I plan on staying with the Silverhawks, to help around the team, with coaching, and maybe play if I can.
What do you think about the final this year?
I like players from both teams. The Wild Boars have better defense, and with Andrej Tasić out I would bet on Kragujevac. I also like them because they have a good running back in Aleksandar Ristić, and they can control the clock and that’s most important.
Any other players you noticed?
I liked Pavle Tasić, think he’s really good. But what stands out is that the players are good athletes, and they play good as a team. There are good athletes on the line, both offensive and defensive. They’re not just fat, they’re big guys that can run, and that are in good shape.
How was playing in SELAF this year?
I would say it was a good experience. The relations in the league are better than Alpe-Adria; that league was a little dirty, and it wasn’t organized so well.
The problem for us was traveling more than other teams. It wasn’t that much of a problem, but we were still in a disadvantage, because all the other teams traveled just once to Slovenia. I think we could reallistically play two games in Serbia.
I also didn’t like that the league was split into two parts, with a summer break. It’s hard to get players back, and the younger guys have school or studies in September. And also if you get injured in the first part, the break won’t help you to play in the second part. I hope the season’s in one part next year.