With the 2023 season just around the corner, EDFL Media will be previewing each club heading into Round One. Next, we chat to Roxburgh Park coach Micheal Farrelly who provides some insights on their 2023 campaign.
2022: 7th (9W, 9L, 74.79%)
Coach: Micheal Farrelly (fifth season)
PRE-SEASON FOCUS
"We started the season off with heaps of buzz, enjoyment, and the vibe was really high. With a few injuries and bad losses, that quickly went away. So the focus this year will be about enjoyment. Being on the paddock, having a fair dinkum crack, and enjoying the sport we all grew up playing. We've also mixed up the way that we want to play. It's taken some time to get into the new mould of things, but early signs are good and we think it's a style that will take us to the next level."
LIST SHAPE
"It's probably been our most proactive pre-season in my time as coach at Roxy. Whilst we've never been the heaviest recruiting, highest paying, we always do things fair and work our backsides off to ensure we bring in talent that will fit in with the culture, personalities, and style that we are trying to roll with. Our hope is not only to improve our ones, but we've had a heavy focus on adding to our overall list for better quality across the three levels."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
"Luke Reichelt continues to grow after winning the B&F at 21. Harley Short has had probably his strongest pre-season in my time at the club so I look forward to what he brings. Jack Elliot is becoming a more senior player and learning to play his role better as well. So three keys to us to help us improve."
2023 OUTLOOK
"We want to play finals football. We have grown every year for the past six years. Not many clubs can say that. It's just a slow burn and process and our next step is to play finals football."
LODGED TRANSFERS
In: Nathan Mander (St Kilda City), Ahmed Hamdan (Westmeadows), Jamie Bellam (Sunbury Kangaroos), Cooper McPharlane (Sunbury Kangaroos), Jake Watson (Glenroy), Seamus Mulcahy (Northern Saints), Robbie Barnard (Craigieburn) & Nathan Carroll (Sunbury Kangaroos).
Out: Raafat Rachrache (Taylors Lakes), Joshua Zakhour (Glenroy), George Mihalas (Eley Park), Jake Busuttil-Poskitt (Coburg Districts) & Jason Harvey (Avenel).
EDFL MEDIA SAYS
Roxburgh Park enjoyed a strong start to the season which they were able to maintain, being in our around the top four up until Round 12 before losing five of their last six games to finish with an even record. While Roxy has lost their leading goal scorer in Raaf Rachrache, they have brought in a two-time Team of the Year representative in Cooper McPharlane who has averaged more than three goals a game for the last two seasons to provide a huge boost for the forward line. With strong list retention and another pre-season playing together, we can expect to see Roxy further pushing their case as a finals outfit with a tough run in the middle of the season set to be a good indicator of their position. They'll kick off their season against Craigieburn at DS Aitken Reserve on Good Friday.
2023 FIXTURE
