With the 2023 season just around the corner, EDFL Media will be previewing each club heading into Round One. First up, we chatted to new Burnside Heights coach Cole Harvey who provided some insights on their 2023 campaign.
2022: 4th (9W, 6L, 1D, 121.83%)
Coach: Cole Harvey (first season, replacing Aidan Stott)
PRE-SEASON FOCUS
"Our number one box to tick this pre-season was education around our game system and introducing the group to a very structured simulation-based training program. Everything we do at training has a purpose and we feel as though the boys have responded particularly well to this type of chaos training and education. As a first-year coach I also needed some time to assess the squad based on our training structure. We have a very experienced strength and conditioning coach in Scott Jardine who worked with this group in 2022. So, the fitness component of our pre-season has been at a very high level and we are very comfortable with our groups' fitness and conditioning.
"Watching the 2022 Division Two season from afar I thought Aidan Stott and the club did a wonderful job in playing finals and being defeated by a very good team in Coburg Districts in the elimination final by a couple of goals. Upon my arrival, as a club, we certainly wanted to build some depth within our list and create a competitive environment for players to really earn their spot in our senior 22 and at the same time, allow all players to feel comfortable in a safe learning environment."
LIST SHAPE
"We believe we have addressed the areas we identified during our extensive list review when our coaching group was appointed. With an eye to the future, we know we will need to be patien withday our young boys who have joined. What I will say is that the new guys who have come across are wonderful young men coming from great families. They have come into our program showing great enthusiasm, bringing high standards and a desire to help drive our club for further success. Our belief is having great people is at the forefront of sustained club success.
"We have retained 95 per cent of our list from 2022 which is a credit to our club. Currently player retention is a real challenge for all clubs with the lure of more money, close proximity to a lot of clubs, and the temptation of playing at a higher level. We are in a very strong position with our player points with all of last year's players only one or two pointers. Amongst the recruitment of some very talented youth, we have added some more experience which will further bolster our depth through our program."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
"Liam Mercieca who joined our club in March last year has only missed one or two sessions from early November. He has really embraced the training and has continued with his own conditioning outside of our training. We are expecting Liam to really benefit from a full preseason which will translate into games. Matthew Larkin and Declan Highgate have been stand outs throughout the pre-season as well. Of the younger brigade Gabe Cristiano, Luke Bonello, Sam Beckinsale, Marcus D’Angelo, Ben Ryan, and Anthony Petrarca have all had solid pre-seasons and we are very excited to watch these young lads develop over the coming years."
2023 OUTLOOK
"I think every club is very optimistic at this time of the year, and every club has an eye on the prize. From my conversations with a number of competing clubs I firmly believe the 2023 Strathmoe Community Bank Division Two competition could be the most competitive season in this division's history. With Jacana unfortunately going into recess, all clubs significantly improving their lists, East Sunbury returning from recess and going on a recruiting spree, and Sunbury Kangaroos coming back from Division One, I can’t see how on any given day anyone can't beat anyone.
"So really our goal for 2023 is to keep our list healthy and engaged and give ourselves every opportunity to be highly competitive in all games providing a springboard into another finals campaign. And sometimes you just need some luck in this game!"
LODGED TRANSFERS
In: Samuel Beckinsale (Aberfeldie), Michael Scicchitano (Melton South), Aaron Azzopardi (Western Rams), James Elarmaly (Hillside), Daniel Cooper (Melton South), Antonio Vitalone (Hillside), Ryan White (Melton South), Marcus D'Angelo (Hillside), Joshua Neralic (Hillside), Hayden Da Cruz (Hillside), Nathan McConnell (Hillside), Carter Delgadillo (St Albans), Benjamin Ryan (Hillside), Lachlan Wright (Violet Town), Luke Bonello (Hillside) & Matthew Knight (Benalla).
Out: Lachlan Petruccelli (Glen Orden), Christopher Garcia (Sunshine), Johnny Katsantonis-Galea (Sunshine), Brad Brincat (Sunshine), Joseph Franzone (Sunshine Heights), Christopher Sarandis (Sunshine Heights), Arian Sarandis (Sunshine Heights), Vincent Angelone (Taylors Lakes) & Sean Brennan (Western Saints Superules)
EDFL MEDIA SAYS
The Bears will be returning to Tenterfield Drive following the ground repairs which saw them play at Brookside Recreation Reserve last season, and under new coach Cole Harvey, will be looking to push deeper into finals following their first week exit in 2022. They managed to plug the hole that Josh Covelli left with Theo Sapountzis and Jordan Hughes combining for 71 majors and have bolstered their list with a smattering of youth with an eye to the future. With strong player retention and a refreshed outlook, Harvey and the Bears will be aiming to build on the strong body of work Aidan Stott put in over six seasons in what promises to be a balanced Strathmore Community Bank Division Two competition. They will have a strong test first up against the relegated Sunbury Kangaroos outfit who went undefeated in this competition in 2019.
2023 FIXTURE
