ABERFELDIE is looking to become the first top flight EDFL team to win three successive premierships since Keilor did it in 1995-97.
Both the 2017 and 2018 flags were won by 61 points, adding to Aberfeldie’s breakthrough 2015 triumph over Greenvale to the tune of 76 points.
The EDFL powerhouse has played in every Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division Grand Final since 2013 and if successful in going all the way again this year, Adam Potter’s team will cement itself as one of the greatest of all time.
Despite all Aberfeldie has already achieved, the pressure is on to keep the streak going.
“You can’t really shy away from it,” Potter told essendondfl.com.au.
“Obviously winning the last two premierships, it’s a challenge we have to embrace.
“There’s so many challenges and hurdles that we’ve got to face along the way, in terms of 18 rounds of football and the week-to-week focus that we always ensure remains a priority, but you can’t shy away from the fact that there is that opportunity.
“But in saying that, there’s such a long road to travel to be there at the right time of year and it’s a really even competition, which I think is healthy for the EDFL.
“We know we’re going to have to work as hard as the previous few years to put ourselves in a position where we can contest at the right time of the year.”
Aberfeldie’s list turnover was minimal - two in, three out.
But one of those ins was arguably the biggest of the EDFL off-season, with star Strathmore midfielder Jaryd Cachia crossing over to Clifton Park.
The other was young ruckman Jorden Braddy, who impressed at East Sunbury in Division 2 last year.
Developing youth is something Aberfeldie has excelled at, hence its lack of heavy recruiting in recent years.
Thirty-seven players wore the two shades of blue at senior level in 2018, and that number could easily be in the thirties again this year.
“We’ve still got a third or so of the premiership team that are 24 and under - who’ve still got their best footy ahead of them,” Potter said.
“We also have an emerging group of youngsters and a really exciting group of Under 19s that have done the summer with us, so that generates its own enthusiasm and it keeps some of the senior boys on their toes.
“There were six or so debutants throughout last year and there’s a really good, emerging group coming through.
“When you look at the likes of Matt Williamson and Harry Fry that missed out, but were part of the 25 come grand final day, and then Jack Arceri who won our reserves best-and-fairest, as well as Sam Medland, there’s a really good group there and hopefully they’ll get more opportunities this year.”
Aberfeldie will unfurl its 2018 flag on EDFL Match of the Day at home to Strathmore in Round 1, a game in which Cachia will take on his former team mates for the first time.
RECRUITING
In: Jaryd Cachia (midfielder, Strathmore) & Jorden Braddy* (ruck, East Sunbury)
Out: Courtney Johns (retired), Jackson Barrett (East Keilor) & Jack Mighell (Strathmore)
*Transfer pending
2019 DRAW
