IF Maribyrnong Park’s steady rise up the Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division ladder continues into a fourth year, then a September 15 date at Windy Hill beckons.
Back in 2014, only four years removed from back-to-back premierships, the Lions were almost relegated.
Robbie Castello replaced Brodie Holland as coach at the end of that season and in every year since, Marby has improved up the ladder.
In 2017 the Lions returned to the finals for the first time in five years with a very impressive 12-6 campaign that ended controversially on Preliminary Final Day after their clash against Greenvale was called off at three-quarter time.
The margin at the time was 33 points, but some who were at Coburg City Oval that day believe Marby was still in it.
“If you had have told me all that at the start of the year, I would’ve taken it every day of the week,” Castello told essendondfl.com.au.
Maribyrnong Park still had a presence on Grand Final Day, though, with their Under 19.5 side ending Aberfeldie’s five-year premiership streak in impressive fashion.
With emerging stars George Abboud and Jordan Davey (among others) ready to make the leap to senior footy, combined with a solid haul of older, VFL-calibre recruits, it’s fair to suggest Maribyrnong Park’s premiership window has now opened.
“We know our best is good enough, so it’s about being able to bring that for four quarters consistently over the season,” Castello said.
“We’ve got better depth.
“We’ve got a squad of 35 to 40 that can play senior football quite comfortably, so I think that’s going to keep us in good stead if we do get a couple of injuries to crucial key players during the year.
“With these 19s players coming through, their ball movement and running ability is going to keep us in really good stead and I think if we can move the ball a bit more effectively this year, that’ll take us to that next step.”
The Lions did lose some key pieces over the summer, including captain Simon Cave, but Castello is buoyant about the experience that Scott Clarke, Josh Pickess, Daylan Kempster and Brodie Romensky will bring to the table when available.
Add to that the continued development of Caleb Vearing, James Breust, John McKenzie and Reynolds Medallist Zac Keogh, and it’s easy to see why there’s so much positivity coming out of Monk Oval.
“I think we’re going to be in pretty good shape with that core group that’s getting older,” Castello said.
“That buzz and excitement around the group at the moment is infectious and the boys are going with it.”
Key Ins: Scott Clarke (key position, Port Melbourne), Josh Pickess (midfielder, Williamstown), Daylan Kempster (key position, Williamstown), Brodie Romensky (utility, Williamstown), Jack Irvine (midfielder, NSW/ACT Rams) & Nick Abley (forward, Violet Town)
Keys Outs: Daniel Schibeci (Werribee Districts), Ben Jones (Nhill & District), Cameron Lee (Werribee Districts), Jess Morano (Nhill & District), Simon Cave (Nhill & District), Omar Saad (West Coburg) & Tom Baravi (West Coburg)
First Month: Essendon Doutta Stars (home), Avondale Heights (away), West Coburg (home) & Pascoe Vale (away)
