With the 2023 season just around the corner, EDFL Media will be previewing each club heading into Round One. Next, we chat to Hillside coach Charlie Denaro who provides some insights on their 2023 campaign.
2022: 6th (9W, 8L, 1D, 95.48%)
Coach: Charlie Denaro (third season)
PRE-SEASON FOCUS
"After going through an almost complete reset of our playing list at the end of season 2021, we wanted to ensure that we continued our development of individual players, and that of the team. We put time into our work rate without the ball, and our end-to-end ball movement. The aim being to enable us to remain in games for longer periods and finish stronger than we have previously.
"We also wanted to bring in experienced footballers to the club to assist the development of our young players.
"Consistency is one of the biggest things we've been working on though. We got some much needed senior game time into our players enabling them to work through scenarios. We let a few games slip after holding good leads which really hurt us in the end. We have worked hard during scenario training to better equip our playing group with game day situations. We also highlighted our need to strengthen our big men and especially our spine, and to add depth into our midfield."
LIST SHAPE
"Time will tell but we have added quality people to our squad and the boys are loving the challenges we have set ourselves. We secured key position players that will straighten us up as we move the ball, and the addition of a few bigger bodied experienced midfielders will certainly help.
"Our list is very healthy. The addition of our new recruits and Under 18s to our existing list leaves us in position where senior spots are up for grabs every week. We will again field Senior, Reserves, Thirds, and two 18s sides. Player retention was strong again but we did lose a couple to country footy, and a few 18s which we expected.
"Our focus after player retention was to bring quality people into our club who can assist with raising standards on and off the track. We feel we had great success and achieved what we set out to do. This has left us with a healthy number of 60+ players who share our vision of making us a strong club and gaining success."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
"Bailey Ryan and Anthony Prestia are set for big seasons. Lachlan Pettigrove, Tristan Rudic, and Zak Wunhym have been standouts in trial games thus far.
"We are excited by what our 20-year-old and unders will produce after their second senior pre season. Luke Sammut, Riley Miksa, Nick Karakyriakos, Nick Cugliari, Lucas Failli, Ryan Schiavone, Tyson Gill, Zack Williams, and Theo Peteinarias will all be pushing their claims for senior footy.
2023 OUTLOOK
"We have planned for and are wanting club success. A lot of work has gone into our senior program the last few years with the aim of providing a great environment for our playing group, which will enable us to achieve results.
"The aim would be for all our sides to play and win finals in 2023."
LODGED TRANSFERS
In: Nathan Ranno (Westmeadows), Jack Tarr (Caroline Springs), Ryan Lojko (Tullamarine), Daniel Scerri (Caroline Springs), Nicholas Cugliari (Caroline Springs), Alex Spiropoulos (Caroline Springs), Noah Cavanagh (Caroline Springs), Joel Bonnici (East Malvern), Andrew Salvatico (Keilor Park), Mark Salvatico (Keilor Park), Julian DiPasquale (Keilor Park), Jordan Brown (Sunbury), Alessio Gobbo (Tullamarine), Anthony Prestia (Tullamarine) & Lachlan Rzanovski (Werribee Districts).
Out: Carlo Riccardi (East Keilor), Corey Wright (Burleigh), Joshua Trembearth (Hadfield), Nathan McConnell (Burnside Heights), Bryson Scales (St Albans), Zac Dicianni (North Brunswick), Flynn Harvey (Therry Penola), Riley McLaughlin (Kilmore), Hayden Da Cruz (Burnside Heights), Benjamin Ryan (Burnside Heights), Dylan Payne (Sunshine), Luke Bonello (Burnside Heights), Joshua Neralic (Burnside Heights), Marcus D'Angelo (Burnside Heights), Antonio Vitalone (Burnside Heights), James Elarmaly (Burnside Heights) & Rhys Bradley (Taylors Lakes).
EDFL MEDIA SAYS
There's been plenty of movement at Shark Park as coach Charlie Denaro will be looking to take this Hillside outfit back to the finals for the first time since 2018. They finished just two games out of the four, but they have brought back former skipper Joel Bonnici along with a swathe of young talent to add to their strong younger brigade which boasts the likes of Bailey Ryan and Luke Sammut. Josh Covelli will again be roaming the forward 50 after winning the Rookie Me Division One goal kicking with 75 goals, but with a big drop off after he, Ryan, and Sammut (39 and 23 goals respectively), Denaro will be looking for some more consistent options hitting the scoreboard in 2023. Hence, the focus on strengthening their spine. They kick off their season at Shark Park against the promoted Keilor Park on Good Friday.
2023 FIXTURE
