DOES Pascoe Vale now have the best forward line in the EDFL?
Matthew Watson was the big arrival of last summer and he managed to snag 73 goals for the Panthers in 2018.
Now the former Blue has a new partner in crime inside 50, with big-bodied former St Kilda-listed player Daniel Archer crossing over to Raeburn Reserve after spending 2018 with West Coburg.
Add to that the arrival of star Division 1 sharpshooter Dean Clare and the end result could well be Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division’s most dangerous scoring attack.
“I’ve been really impressed with Matty Watson,” new Panthers coach Digby Morrell told essendondfl.com.au.
“He hasn’t missed a session, he’s really fit and has got a really great attitude.
“He and Daniel Archer will work really well together.
“In terms of size and shape, we’re probably going to have the two biggest forwards in the comp and that’s going to give us a competitive edge, especially with 6-6-6.”
While Pascoe Vale did wave goodbye to five of its star former AFL players over the summer (see below), many EDFL pundits remain impressed with the club’s recruiting haul.
The midfield received some significant boosts and the recruit that came with the most hype was Goulburn Valley league star, Liam Ogden.
His inclusion is not only a bonus for Pascoe Vale’s midfield, but its forward line is set to be the key beneficiary.
“We think we’re going to be pretty potent forward of the ball and obviously Liam Ogden’s going to bring a great deal of experience,” Morrell said.
“Just as importantly, he has that winning attitude and knows how to win, so we’re going to rely on that with a lot of our mids learning off him, so it’s exciting times.”
Despite boasting several high-profile players on its list in recent years, Pascoe Vale has not been part of the finals series since 2016.
Externally, the pressure is on Pascoe Vale to return to the final four this season, but Morrell is trying to focus solely on the club’s internal expectations.
When asked if Pascoe Vale’s premiership window is open in 2019, Morrell described the prospect as “a bit of an unknown”.
“Externally, people can say what they like, I’m not too fussed about what people think about where we should sit,” he said.
“But internally, we’ve absolutely got expectations of our group and our coaching staff.
“I think that we’ve put together a list which can be competitive week in, week out, and we’re absolutely gunning for finals footy.
“We’re not in it to run fifth, sixth or seventh again, and time will tell whether we’ve put the list together to do that, but we’re quietly confident that the attitude and the application of the boys so far will hold up as the season goes along.”
RECRUITING
In: Daniel Archer (forward, West Coburg), Matthew Wallace (defender, Sunbury Kangaroos), Liam Ogden (midfielder, Kyabram), Daniel Johncock (midfielder, West Coburg), Stuart Hobjin-Allen (defender, Shepparton), Dean Clare (forward, Westmeadows), Julian Hemala (midfielder, Hillside), Errol McConnell (midfielder, Macedon), Ben Allan (midfielder, Coburg) and Jack Whaley (defender/midfielder, Goodwood Saints)
Out: Gavin Urquhart (Riddell), Lachie Hansen (Nar Nar Goon), Kyle Hardingham (Essendon Doutta Stars), Ben Ross (Bunyip), Daniel Harris (Deer Park), Bevan Newell (Hillside), Craig Anderson* (Noble Park) & Shayne Allan (Edithvale-Aspendale)
*Transfer pending
2019 DRAW
