2019 RECAP
After being touted as a relegation risk in the lead-up to Season 2019, Maribyrnong Park managed to rise above those expectations and produce a decent 7-11 record last year.
A 12-point win over Greenvale in Round 11 was a major highlight for the Lions, while two close losses to eventual preliminary finalist Strathmore showed just how much promise Dean Laidley's men have for the future.
While the departure of 2018 Reynolds Medalist Will Martiniello left a void in midfield, the Lions' solid structure in key positions at both ends of the ground held them in good stead, with defender Scott Clarke selected by the coaches at full back in the Premier Division Team of the Year alongside James Breust, who won't be with Marby in 2020, named at half forward.
BEST & FAIREST TOP FIVE
1st - John McKenzie
2nd - Scott Clarke
3rd - James Breust*
4th - Josh Cole
5th - Matthew Gaul
GOAL KICKING TOP FIVE
27 - James Breust*
21 - Brandon Ryan
20 - Jock Cornell*
15 - George Abboud
15 - Jordan Davey
STRATHMORE COMMUNITY BANK PREMIER DIVISION TEAM OF THE YEAR
Scott Clarke (full back)
John McKenzie (wing)
James Breust* (half forward flank)
*players not returning in 2020
2020 PREVIEW
Coach: Dean Laidley (2nd season)
LIST CHANGES / LODGED TRANSFERS
In: Nick Prowse (Old Xaverians), Chris Prowse (Old Xaverians), Marwan Abdul-Wahed (Westmeadows), Sebastian Greene (PEGS), Mitchell Caddy (Coburg Districts), Mitchell Comben (Kyneton), Patrick McCarthy (Kyneton), Tobie Richardson (Kalkee) & Ismail Moussa (Avondale Heights)
Out: James Breust (Drysdale), Jock Cornell (Sunshine), Sam O'Brien (Moonee Valley), Ed Pearson (Parkside), Connor Maher (Caroline Spriongs), Mark Mazzeo (East Keilor) & Darcy Kennedy (Parkside)
EDFL MEDIA SAYS
The return of Prowse brothers Nick and Chris will help the Lions fill some key voids inside forward 50, while smaller forward Ismail Moussa could have a big impact on Marby's scoring power as well.
Meanwhile through midfield and down back, the Lions should benefit from having a more settled line-up which includes a strong combination of Team of the Year calibre talent (Scott Clarke and John McKenzie) and promising younger types (Josh Cole, Matthew Gaul and George Abboud).
If you can get past the departures of key players James Breust, Jock Cornell and Sam O'Brien, then it's easy to see why Maribyrnong Park could be tipped as one of the division's big improvers that may end up playing finals footy in 2020.
