With the 2023 season just around the corner, EDFL Media will be previewing each club heading into Round One. Next, we chat to new East Keilor coach Rocky Iannello who provides some insights on their 2023 campaign.
2022: 5th (11W, 7L, 124.85%)
Coach: Rocky Iannello (first season, replacing Tim Bongetti)
PRE-SEASON FOCUS
"Our clear focus in the pre-season with a number of new players to the club has been to get the playing group connected and engaged in a really competitive environment."
LIST SHAPE
"Player depth appeared to be an issue late in 2022 for the Cougars, so our recruiting has been focused on improving the overall depth of the playing group."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
"Our entire playing group is critical to any level of improvement we may have in 2023 and without individualising anyone, we are really pleased with all the guys and their commitment throughout the summer period as we lead into the season."
2023 OUTLOOK
"My coaching group has focused heavily on the improvement of individuals within the playing group which will assist the team improving in key areas in 2023. We have a club goal to make every team (juniors and seniors) that represents the East Keilor Football Club on each weekend really competitive in games and within the overall season standings."
LODGED TRANSFERS
In: Ben Silvagni (Old Xaverians), Thomas Rowland (Altona), Matthew Dennis (Southern Districts), Marc Coscarella (Bundoora), Cooper Bond (Caroline Springs), Jack Cackett (Caroline Springs), Jack Evans (Craigieburn), Jacob Brown (East Point), Jackson Pellegrino (Echuca), Quinton Narkle (Geelong), Joseph Langford (Heathcote), Carlo Riccardi (Hillside), Daniel McNaughton (Hillside), Austin Harris (Maribyrnong Park), Vinnie Sudano (St Bernards), Lachlan Papley (St Bernards), Gabriel Loukomitis (St Bernards), Michael Commisso (St Bernards), Nicholas Kerr (St Bernards), Anthony Tashevski-Beckwith (St Kilda City), Matthew Scarpino (Taylors Lakes), Caleb Smith (Tongala), Marwan Abdul-Wahad (Westmeadows) & George Nabbout (Westmeadows).
Out: Lachlan Rayner (Aspley), Mohammed El-Souki (Newport), Lachlan Moore (Airport West), Nicholas Grigg (Nullawil), Tim Bongetti (Eltham), Dale Marshall (Diamond Creek), Joshua Grabowski (Geelong Amateur), Joseph Palazzolo (Bundoora), Alex Villani (Taylors Lakes), Marc Lock (Old Carey Grammarians), Victor Micallef (St Albans) & Jack Burns (Taylors Lakes).
EDFL MEDIA SAYS
East Keilor started the 2022 season strong winning their first five games which included victories over Pascoe Vale and eventual premiers Strathmore. Despite a strong season finishing two games out of finals, they suffered some heavy defeats to top sides along the way, and they'll be hoping to rectify that to push deeper into the season. The Cougars have been no stranger to recruiting in recent years and 2023 has shaped to be no different, luring some big names to Overland Reserve. Football family royalty Ben Silvagni was an early signing announcement for the Cougars, who more recently announced the huge signing of Quinton Narkle. The transfer is yet to transpire, but if they can get him on the park when not on Essendon VFL duties, it'll be must-watch footy. Meanwhile, ruckman Matthew Dennis has made the move over to East Keilor following a stint in the NTFL where he finished second in the Southern Districts best and fairest count, and won the best on ground medal in the grand final.
2023 FIXTURE
