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Improved Eagles List Ready For Premier Division Return

Preview 2019 - Airport West


WITH only one premiership player moving on over the summer, Airport West is returning to Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division in very good shape.

The Eagles made both grand finals in their two seasons down in Division 1 and for all intents and purposes, the club is now in a far stronger position than it was in 2016, where they went winless and were eventually relegated from out of the top flight.

Third-year coach Geoff Maddern is pleased with the progress his group has made since he took over the coaching reins from Robbie Ahmat in mid-2017.

“Our goal was obviously to get ourselves back up into Premier Division as quickly as possible and to have achieved that in a couple of years, we’re pretty happy,” Maddern told essendondfl.com.au.

“Last year between our seniors and reserves, we won 31 and a half out of 36 games, so in Division 1 we created a pretty strong winning culture.

“But we’re under no illusions... those sorts of numbers are pretty hard to repeat once you go up a level.

“I think everyone has a tinge of nervousness about it but at the same time, we see it as a terrific challenge.”

The Eagles have welcomed a dozen recruits into the club over the summer, including two players with TAC Cup or VFL experience and several more who have been senior regulars at other EDFL clubs.

Reuben William and Damandeep Aujla have been VFL regulars in recent years, while the likes of Jayden Ranno and Anthony Aloi have impressed within EDFL ranks elsewhere.

Overall, Airport West’s list is significantly better than it was 12 months ago.

“It looks like we’ve added some depth to our midfield, which I think we needed, some strong bodies over the ball and some good outside run,” Maddern explained.

“As a coaching group, we’re pretty confident in the playing list.

“We know we’ve got some good depth, good speed and good height.”

Airport West was gifted a somewhat kind draw for its opening month of the season, with only one 2018 finalist (Aberfeldie) among its first four opponents.

Maddern insists his players won’t be daunted by any challenge they face throughout the season and are prepared to give Premier Division a decent shake in 2019.

“Our guys are just looking forward to the challenge of going up against these great sides and great players and measuring ourselves against that,” he said.

“We have great hopes to stay in Premier Division and we’re now just really looking forward to getting started.

“It’s been a long pre-season.”


RECRUITING

In: Anthony Aloi (midfielder, Hillside), Zach Racovolis (defender, Jacana), Shane Brady (forward, Winchelsea), Anthony Daw (ruck, Wyndhamvale), Curtis Schultz (forward, Sunbury Kangaroos), Damandeep Aujla (midfielder, Bundoora), Lachie Cavanagh (forward, Strathmore), Jayden Ranno (midfielder, Greenvale), Josh Kanellos (midfielder, Sunbury Kangaroos), Reuben William (midfielder, Wyndhamvale), Nick Zoccali (forward, Essendon Doutta Stars) & Nick Perri (forward, Aberfeldie)

Out: Ricky McVeigh (retired) & Luke Ryan (Moonee Valley)


2019 DRAW

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