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New-Look Cougars Ready To Embrace Higher Expectations

Preview 2019 - East Keilor


THE time is now for East Keilor to “have a crack” at becoming a Division 1 heavyweight, according to new coach, Pat Christofi.

The Cougars have only scored six wins in each of their two seasons since earning promotion into Division 1.

But if their very fruitful summer of recruiting is anything to go by, then expect that number to rise significantly in 2019.

There is a total of 19 names listed as new recruits at the bottom of this article.

Christofi says up to 75 per cent of his likely best 22 is going to be made up of new players but despite the huge amount of list turnover that has occurred, the buy-in of his playing group is very upbeat.

“Considering the amount (of players) that have gone out and come in, excellent,” Christofi told essendondfl.com.au when asked about the overall vibe around the club.

“You’d think there’d be a rattle going on but there isn’t, and they’ve adapted well because we’ve had more come in than go out.

“It was time for change and everyone’s on-board with that because they’re sick of plotting around.

“It’s time to have a crack.”

On a recruiting front, they certainly did that.

Bundoora premiership trio Joseph Palazzolo, Josh Grabowski and Nick Grabowski are the main headliners among the long list of ins, while keen EDFL pundits will already be well aware of what former Aberfeldie duo Lachie Langwell and Jackson Barrett will bring to the table.

The remaining cast of recruits will fill holes all over the ground but on the flipside, the Cougars did also lose numerous key players, including highly-regarded midfielders Tom Gleeson and Matthew Knight.

Christofi maintains that ultimate glory is still firmly in his sights but does admit it will take a little bit of time for his brand-new side to build its chemistry out on the park.

“We’re not expecting this to happen overnight, because it is a work in progress,” Christofi said.

“When you’re moulding 12 to 13 blokes into a new squad, you’ve got to expect that to be part of the process and our focus will be to just knock over the wins and start putting together a plan that’s going to work down the track, so our short-term goal will be to just gets the wins.

“It’s about getting everyone to play together and learn each other’s habits, because we are a new side and it’s about being able to launch at the right time of the season, which I believe is about Round 14 and onward.

“Everyone around the place is just looking for something different and looking for that extra bite, and I think that we’re all excited about what’s happening.

“We’re embracing it.”


RECRUITING

In: Nathan Lyons (midfielder, Sunshine), Joseph Palazzolo (midfielder, Bundoora), Josh Grabowski (midfielder, Bundoora), Nick Grabowski (forward/midfielder, Bundoora), Lachlan Langwell (forward/midfielder, Sunshine), Jackson Barrett (midfielder, Aberfeldie), Luke McCormack (defender, North Footscray), Charles Van Der Byl (forward, Maribyrnong Park), Mitchell Parsons (midfielder, Caroline Springs), Craig Plant (defender, Deer Park), Joel O’Donnell (midfielder/defender, Deer Park), Jye King (forward, Deer Park), Aaron Scerri (utility, Deer Park), Ben Caluzzi (utility, Essendon Doutta Stars), Will Kett (defender, Essendon Doutta Stars), Jeremy Pain (midfielder, Moama), Tyson Maiava (utility, Deer Park), Jesse Portelli (defender, Deer Park) & Josh Webb (ruck, Hillside)

Out: Scott Eldridge (Strathmore), Con Grampsas (Coburg Districts), Paris Grampsas (Coburg Districts), Tom Gleeson (Coburg Districts), Matthew Knight (Rupertswood), Michael Licciardo (Melton), David House (Sunbury Kangaroos) & Bryce Whelan (East Sunbury)


2019 DRAW

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