With the 2023 season just around the corner, EDFL Media will be previewing each club heading into Round One. Next, we chat to Coburg Districts coach Tom Gleeson who provides some insights on their 2023 campaign.
2022: 3rd (11W, 5L, 140.47%)
Coach: Tom Gleeson (third season)
PRE-SEASON FOCUS
"Retention and adding youth has been a big focus for us, as well as conditioning our 18's players ahead of gaining senior opportunities. We've also worked on adding leaders, getting as fit as possible, and synergy between the group."
LIST SHAPE
"The list is in great shape. We're really excited with the additions to the club."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
"Liam Bianco, Luke Viska, Bayley Overend, Ian Fisher, and Ahmed Abdul are some of the new recruits to look out for. Aaron Aquilina (C), Jordan Ashby, Mitchell Heales, Zeeshan Awan, John Lindon (AKA Tarzan) have all had outstanding preseasons. Most have."
2023 OUTLOOK
"We're aiming to keep getting better, and to improve our end result from last season!"
LODGED TRANSFERS
In: Ian Fisher (Avondale Heights), Luke Viska (Brighton Bombers), Bayley Overend (Jacana), Jakob Hanlon (Keilor), Christopher Gioupas (Northern Saints), Marcus Rametta (Northern Saints), Jake Busuttil-Poskitt (Roxburgh Park), Liam Bianco (Trentham), Jeremy Rush (West Brunswick), Kougar MacKertich (West Coburg) & Ahmed Abdul-Wahed (Westmeadows).
Out: Lachlan Woodham (Black Rock), Jason Diab (Plenty Valley), Michael Apostolopoulos (Diamond Valley), Benjamin Morey (Oak Park), Nathan Mills (Essendon Masters), James Scheriani (Moonee Valley), Dayne Tannenberg (Westmeadows), Jake Eddy (Keilor Park), Spencer Aitken (Cairns City Lions), Callum Moore (North Footscray), Bailey Wileman (Rochester), Kane Moroney (Rochester), Harrison McPhee (Rochester), Jack Slavich (Romsey), James Philpot (Albion) & Cooper Keogh (Strathmore).
EDFL MEDIA SAYS
Coburg Districts expect to have their sights set on finals footy again, but with some key exits like Cooper Keogh, Spencer Aitken, and Dayne Tannenberg (20 goals from eight games), playing coach Tom Gleeson will be hoping some new additions and their youth can plug these gaps to keep them in a position to push deeper into September. Gleeson will again be roaming the forward 50 following 33 goals from 12 games last season, along with John Hardaway who kicked 29 goals in 2022. They face 2022 finalists Burnside Heights and Oak Park in Rounds 2 and 4 respectively, and will face the relegated Sunbury Kangaroos in Round 3 who dominated this competition before promotion. A good test early.
2023 FIXTURE
