An insight into Vincent Zagari

23/08/2022

Hear from Vince Zagari as he talks about footy, his passion for science and what he does in his spare time!

Vince Zagari is a busy man. When he’s not training and playing with the Zebras, he’s studying Science full time at Monash University and working part-time.

His footballing journey started in the juniors at the Waverley Park Hawks where he played all the way through and eventually found himself in the Oakleigh Chargers squad from under 15’s to under 18’s. His time at the Chargers was capped off by a premiership in the under 18’s.

Zagari gathered some AFL interest but eventually made his way to Collingwood’s VFL program in 2019. He enjoyed his time there, with the highlight being the AFL sessions he was able to take part in.

After the 2020 season was scrapped, Vince made his way down to Sandringham for some training sessions before signing on with the Zebras ahead of the 2021 season. After playing Round 1 in 2021 that was to be his only Zebras appearance for the season after the year was largely interrupted by the pandemic. 

He broke into the team this year for the trip up to Southport and has since stringed some games together to finish the season, highlighted by a great snag against the Lions in Round 21 against the run of play.

When asked about what he has enjoyed the most about his time so far at the Zebras, he says he has “enjoyed the age demographic, a lot of young guys around that 19-23 year old range. We’re all going through the same thing, getting into full time work, and going through university and similar stages of life”. But he also loves the company of the more experienced players at the Club saying it makes for a “good mix” and is important for these types of programs where the younger players can “bounce off” the older players and vice-versa.

When Vince isn’t playing for the Zebras, he’s lining up for Balywn in the EFNL under the watch of ex-AFL coach Rodney Eade, who he says has “been really good and helped me transition to senior football.” His side has finished in the Top 4 of the EFNL’s Premier Division this season and is set for a tilt at the flag in the next few weeks.

Zagari studies a dual major in Physiology & Pharmacology as part of his science degree. He studies full time, 4 units per semester, which is a tough gig when you factor in VFL footy and extra part-time work on top of that. He will complete this degree at the conclusion of 2022 and is currently tossing up postgraduate study choices. Whilst he is somewhat "daunted" by the prospect of choosing as there are so many options out there, as it stands he is leaning towards Physio or Podiatry, or may even go down the biomedicine health science pathway.

He has enjoyed the university lifestyle where he has lots of freedom within his course and also within his life in general, where he hasn't had to commit to a career path or a full-time job yet.

As part-time work, Vince works at an indoor sports centre with a couple of mates which he says “doesn’t feel too taxing because it’s with mates and it’s good to have a release from footy and study and it’s good fun.”

Outside of footy, work and study, Zagari still has enough time to have a good balance and a good social life. He says he has loved getting his social life back coming out of the pandemic and has felt really productive. When he’s not hanging out with mates, he loves to have "good quality family time", something he really values.

The rest of the time you could find him at the pool swimming some laps, relaxing watching some Netflix, playing some indoor cricket or indoor soccer or getting out and taking his dog for a walk. It’s the “simple stuff” that he loves.

5 Rapid Fire Questions

Favourite TV Show

"Prison Break"

What's your favourite movie?

"Any of the Tobey Maguire Spidermans" 

What’s your favourite food/snack?

"Would have to be Mum's Capricciosa Pizza”

Favourite team?

“Richmond"

Favourite player/players?

“I grew up loving the way Brett Deledio played. Now I like to model my game around Isaac Smith but I also love the work of Dion Prestia for the Tigers, very underrated”

Written by Mason Bursill