2019 RECAP
After promising a lot in the lead-up to Season 2019, East Keilor certainly did not disappoint with its upfront and honest new senior coach, Pat Christofi, steering the ship.
Cashing in on what was a heavy summer of strong recruiting, the Cougars were the clear standout of the home-and-away season, claiming the minor premiership with a 14-2 record and a percentage of 161.45, two games clear of second-placed Craigieburn.
However, the Eagles twice got the better of East Keilor in the finals series, going on to defeat the Cougars in the Division 1 Grand Final by 37 points.
BEST & FAIREST TOP FIVE
1st - Ben Caluzzi
2nd - Joe Palazzolo
3rd - Josh Grabowski
4th - Dion Hill
5th - Nick Grabowski*
GOAL KICKING TOP FIVE
59 - Dion Hill
36 - Josh Grabowski
32 - Nick Grabowski*
19 - Ethan Langwell
17 - Jackson Barrett*
DIVISION ONE TEAM OF THE YEAR
Ash Arrowsmith (centre half back)
Ben Caluzzi (half back flank)
Nick Grabowski* (wing)
Nathan Lyons (wing)
Dion Hill (full forward)
Josh Grabowski (ruck rover)
*players not returning in 2020
2020 PREVIEW
Coach: Pat Christofi (2nd season)
LIST CHANGES / LODGED TRANSFERS
In: Paul Scanlon (Pines), Marc Lock (Old Carey Grammarians), Kevin Klix (Deer Park), Victor Micallef (Hillside), Brandon Coletta (Hillside), Rusiate Komaitai (Strathmore), Dane Tannenberg (Moama), Evan Giannoukas (Taylors Lakes), Tim Atkins (Yarroweyah), Tim Bongetti (Pines), Josh Mascara (Bundoora), Lachlan Calder (St Alvans), Lee Santoro (Bundoora), Dean Gioutsos (Kyneton), Brad Nolen (Donald), Damien Grazules (Moulamein), Josh Best (Greenvale) & Mark Mazzeo (Maribyrnong Park)
Out: Nick Grabowski (Bundoora), Jordan Madden (Kambalda), Lachie Langwell (Aberfeldie) Jackson Barrett (St Bernards), Adrian Hallal, Shaun Ujcich, Jake Napoli, Brad Galcin, Dimitrios Guicas, Declan Wakefield, Ryan Bagaric, Liam Bagaric, Cooper Bryant (all Keilor Park), Mitchell Celantano (St Bernards), Michael Gatt (Tullamarine), Andrew Ruberto (Hadfield), Luke Vraca & Michael Galcin (both Parkside), Justin Carroll (Bacchus Marsh) & Justin Gelsi (Laurimar)
EDFL MEDIA SAYS
East Keilor was again the most aggressive Division 1 club on the recruiting front over the summer and as a result, we'll see a new-look side take the field in Round 1.
After waving goodbye to four of the 22 players who played in last year's grand final, the Cougars looked to introduce more experience into their side, including the arrivals of Paul Scanlon, Marc Lock and Kevin Klix, among others.
East Keilor's practice match form looked solid and coach Pat Christofi has been bullish about his side's overall pre-season, which means all eyes are on the Cougars to start the season well and establish themselves as a warm favourite to go all the way and win their first B-Grade/Division 1 flag since 1992.
