With the 2023 season just around the corner, EDFL Media will be previewing each club heading into Round One. Next, we chat to new Essendon Doutta Stars coach Barry Prendergast who provides some insights on their 2023 campaign.
2022: 9th (3W, 15L, 66.51%)
Coach: Barry Prendergast (first season, replacing Paul Barnard)
PRE-SEASON FOCUS
"After a three-win season it’s been about doing the basics well and building from there. Learning to train and play as a disciplined and organised team who compete."
LIST SHAPE
"Our recruiting has reflected our focus. Get the right people and build off the back of our juniors. We are very young but they are keen to learn and have improved and embraced everything we have done thus far."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
"Darcy Runting and Dec Tully have built off strong finishes to last season. Four of last year's U18s have had strong practice matches as well as Jim Harrold and Tom Wallis."
2023 OUTLOOK
"Our goal is to keep building and improving and keep layering in new aspects to our game. We won’t be setting any limitations especially with a young and enthusiastic group."
LODGED TRANSFERS
In: James Barnes (Oak Park), Aaron Thomas (St Bernards), Blake Taylor (Glenroy), Joshua Mutz (Kilmore), Luke Hollibone (Aberfeldie), Luke Curtis (Aberfeldie), Tom Wallis (East Perth), George Romios (Keilor), Thomas Barker (University Blues), Jordan Davis (Sunshine) & Ethan Sivijs (Sunshine).
Out: Karl Brown (Aberfeldie), Sam Heaton (Blackburn), Brayden Page (Brunswick), Jake Brown (Diggers Rest), Michael Graham (Dimboola), Riley O'Meara (Lancefield), Ned O'Connell (Macedon), John Roumeliotis (Maribyrnong Park), Adem Rodenburg (PEGS), Ari Soldatos (PEGS), Bryce Lewis (St Albans), Andre Srour (St Albans), Oliver Hibble (St Bernards), Kurtis Barnard (Sunshine), Brodie Meyers (Tatura), Aydin Kesici (Tatura), Michael Sposato (Taylors Lakes), Darcy Tamer (Taylors Lakes) & Thomas Jackson (Tullamarine).
EDFL MEDIA SAYS
Barry Prendergast will assume the head coaching role after spending time as an assistant at the club, following a long history in the AFL and pathway programs. He'll have his work cut out for him as Douttas have been floating around the bottom of the table for a number of years now since their fifth-placed finish in 2016 after winning the Division One flag the year prior, and with their outgoing talent including the likes of Karl Brown and John Roumeliotis, it's hard to imagine anything different for 2023. Beyond their two leading goal scorers, they lose seven of their top eight in that category from 2022, but the shining light of their off season is no doubt the return of Tom Wallis. They'll face the reigning premiers in Strathmore first up who'll be hoping to respond to a disappointing Good Friday loss.
2023 FIXTURE
