With the 2023 season just around the corner, EDFL Media will be previewing each club heading into Round One. Next, we chat to Pascoe Vale coach Digby Morrell who provides some insights on their 2023 campaign.
2022: 4th (13W, 5L, 142.3%)
Coach: Digby Morrell (fourth season)
PRE-SEASON FOCUS
"Our focus has been adding some depth, some outside speed, and beefing up our midfield. Increasing our running ability has been a focus too. When we were beaten in the prelim, we identified a greater need for spread and defensive pressure through the arcs. Hence our focus on improving our mid group and running ability."
LIST SHAPE
"We've been lucky enough to bring in Sunny Brazier, Rhys Ritchie, Jayden Ranno, and the returning Daman Aujla to improve our midfield balance. Also bringing in Adam Del Busso from Glenroy brings some more support for the forward group and some great on-field leadership.
"We also identified that our list is still developing, and we are excited to see the continued improvement of our 18-22 year old bracket of players. These include Aaron Hilton, Ben Morgan, Adam Figliola, Dylan Exposto, Zain Yamak, and Ali Saad."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
"We’ve got an exciting group of Under 18s kids who we think will influence our senior group and also play some good footy as a group."
2023 OUTLOOK
"Our short term goal is to win the first two rounds. We play Keilor and Aberfeldie first up and that can help us push towards a top two spot. As a club we want the reserves and 18s to make and play finals.
"Also, we have been working hard as a club to build our juniors and we have had some great results over the past couple of years. We want to continue to develop our juniors to play at the highest level they can."
LODGED TRANSFERS
In: Jayden Ranno (Westmeadows), Dylan Arnold (White Hills), Luca Villella (Preston Bullants), Adam Del Busso (Glenroy), Jonah Evans (Keilor), Joshua Iacobaccio (West Preston-Lakeside), Jackson Smith (Keilor), Mitch Heywood (Tongala), Joshua Hyde (North Sunshine), Rhys Ritchie (Wodonga) & Arthur Armstrong (North London),
Out: Jesse Boyd (Mooroolbark), Christian Mazza (Airport West), Liam Ogden (Kyabram), Jack Raines (Banyule), Nicholas Mellington (Benalla), Deon Fulgaro (Northern Saints), Sam Godden (Dimboola), Ben Murdoch (Echuca) & Lachlan Eilers (Therry Penola)
EDFL MEDIA SAYS
The Panthers worked their way into the preliminary final in 2022 after finishing fifth in the shortened 2021 season and will be hoping to go one better this season. Announcing a smattering of signings in which the transfers haven't yet transpired, the club has succeeded in adding to that midfield depth as Morrell outlined, while retaining many of their star players. Corey Wagner and Nick Hayes will done the red and black when not on VFL duties, new recruit Josh Iacobaccio will be available full time after 48 games with Coburg, Daman Aujla returns to the club, and EDFL Team of the Year representative Jayden Ranno will be switching the yellow sash for the red. Meanwhile, Paul Ahern will almost be a new recruit for the club after injuring his ACL in the first game of 2022. They'll be tested in the first two rounds with Aberfeldie and Keilor, but two wins could set them up for a deep run into 2023.
2023 FIXTURE
