With the 2023 season just around the corner, EDFL Media will be previewing each club heading into Round One. Next, we chat to Keilor coach Mick McGuane who provides some insights on their 2023 campaign.
2022: 3rd (13W, 4L, 1D, 150.55%)
Coach: Mick McGuane
PRE-SEASON FOCUS
"It's been more about bringing the younger boys through which creates opportunities for them in a year that we've lost a lot of experience due to retirement or them moving on to another competition. So it's about integrating these younger boys into the senior fold."
LIST SHAPE
"We've stayed within our junior program to be honest, recruiting gets difficult with the salary cap and points so we concentrate on growing our own and giving our younger players who have become part of our junior program an opportunity when their birth certificate says they're ready for senior footy.
"We've gotten Corey Ellis back to the club along with Damien Cavka, it's great to see guys of that ilk come back to the footy club after being involved in the AFL or VFL or other competitions."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
"It's great to see Brett Stillman, who had a serious ankle injury last year and is one of the cleanest, toughest inside midfielders in the comp recover from that. He's basically a recruit for us after getting injured in Round 8 or 9 last year by memory. Kane Barbuto who is universally respected in the competition, we lost those two boys to work commitments or injury so it's great to see Kane back in the fold, preparing well, and hoping to have another fantastic season. With the preparation that he's had, I see no reason why he won't.
"Matthew Clark had an exceptional year last year as a key forward, he won the goal kicking. His preparation has been a little bit chequered due to his shift work in the fire brigade and fatherhood, but we're expecting him to have another stellar season even though we've lost a bit of experience in front of the ball."
2023 OUTLOOK
"We're always about the big picture stuff as much as the short term, medium term, or long term achievements, and that's giving young men or women at the footy the club the chance to go to higher levels. That can never be put in question because we're always promoting those players, not trying to keep them for selfish purposes and for them to be involved in pathway programs."
LODGED TRANSFERS
In: Damien Cavka (Keilor Park), Lachlan Barr (Maribyrnong Park), Nathan Colenso (Morningside), Toby Triffett (Morningside), Jonathan Marsh (Old Carey Grammarians), Harrison Kennedy (St Bernards) & Lachlan Peplow (Strathmore).
Out: Ben Bozinovski (Airport West), Jesse Zukanovic (Braybrook), Julian Toniazzo (Bundoora), Jakob Hanlon (Coburg Districts), Jamie Papalia (Donald), Kieran Bell (Donald), Jesse Wallin (Donald), George Romios (Essendon Doutta Stars), Marcus Albazi (Glenroy), David Gourdis (Lake Boga), Todd Stevenson (Natimuk United), Adam Tsardakis (North Brunswick), David Isbister (Nullawil), Lachie Stewart (Pascoe Vale), Adam Mandic (Pascoe Vale), Jackson Smith (Pascoe Vale), Jonah Evans (Pascoe Vale), Clayton Bonello (Rupertswood), Dean Galea (Rupertswood), Brayden Brodie (St Albans), Josh Kacanski (St Albans), Andrew Browne (Tatyoon), Anthony Trajcevski (Taylors Lakes), Daniel DeVito (Taylors Lakes), Scott Liversidge (Tullamarine) & Jack Briskey (Williamstown CYMS).
EDFL MEDIA SAYS
Mick McGuane has had very few issues getting this Keilor outfit into September having missed finals just once since 2014, and with some handy additions, will be looking to do the same again in 2023. Corey Ellis and Damien Cavka return to the club, but they will be missing Dean Galea who has moved closer to home to play with Rupertswood, as well as some valuable experience like David Gourdis, David Isbister, Jamie Papalia, and Jesse Wallin. It will be an interesting watch, with McGuane's men facing the reigning premiers in Strathmore in Good Friday action a good test first up.
2023 FIXTURE
