With the 2023 season just around the corner, EDFL Media will be previewing each club heading into Round One. Next, we chat to St Albans coach Zammy Muhtari who provides some insights on their 2023 campaign.
2022: WRFL Division One - 7th (5W, 13L, 67.29%)
Coach: Zammy Muhtari
PRE-SEASON FOCUS
"As much as it's a new journey and exciting to be in the EDFL, there's been some challenges along the way with not knowing where we were going to be, we didn't know exactly how to prepare mentally.
"We brought a lot of new, young faces in last season (64 players run through the senior team) through injuries and providing opportunities and we were fortunate to have enough depth. But one of the things we highlighted when we did lose some key players, was areas of fitness and that connection didn't align, so that's something we've worked on this pre-season."
LIST SHAPE
"We've brought in eight or nine new faces, some across from the WRFL, Victor Micallef from East Keilor who brings in a lot of experience and is a seasoned campaigner, Atu Bosenavulagi who'll float between us and the Brisbane Broncos, Andre Srour from Essendon Doutta Stars who's a big, young key position player that we probably lacked last season.
"When we recruit, we look a bringing in good people first and that's something that we've always prided ourselves on."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
"Josh Klaromenos has had a strong pre-season and has improved dramatically again after being on the Bullants list last season. We got a young kid Jayden Kretiuk who's come through our junior ranks, as well as four or five younger kids coming through our Under 18's who we'll put through the senior side throughout the year and give them the opportunity as well."
2023 OUTLOOK
"For us, to be able to compete and sustain that competitiveness week in week out is important. There are going to be a lot of challenges, we know what Deer Park are going to bring, but there are 10 other teams that we've never played before. It's a new challenge, something we're looking forward to, and we're ready to take it on with both hands.
"We're excited for the new journey and the new chapter for our footy club, we'll hopefully get some wins throughout the season!"
LODGED TRANSFERS
In: Victor Micallef (East Keilor), Atu Bosenavulagi (North Melbourne), Jayden O'Loughlin (Melton South), Adeola Akintola (Sunshine), Andre Srour (Essendon Doutta Stars), Josh Kacanski (Keilor), Angus Baxter (Eynesbury Eagles), Bryson Scales (Hillside), Bailee Revell (Gisborne), Trent Reilly (Taylors Lakes), Zach McCasker (Sunbury Kangaroos), Derick Yuga (Sherwood Districts), Brayden Brodie (Keilor),
Out: Cody Abela-Rogers (Albanvale), Mar Gattek (Altona), Jackson Emery (Braybrook), David Said (Braybrook), Ryan Buckley (Braybrook), Joel Taylor (Braybrook), Carter Delgadillo (Burnside Heights), Cooper Pepi (Caroline Springs), Nash Holmes (Deer Park), Jamie Fisher (East Sunbury), Arian Mehmeti (Lancefield), Aiden Cseledy (North Sunshine), Majok Aneet (St Paul's McKinnon), Tim Jenkins (Werribee Districts), Chevy Clements (Taylors Lakes), Josh Carter (Tiwi Bombers),
EDFL MEDIA SAYS
A staple of the top flight competition in the Western Region for a long time now, St Albans will be encountering foreign opposition almost every week, but that same unfamiliarity will be coming the other way for the other 10 clubs. They'll be an interesting watch in the Rookie Me Division One competition being able to sign Atu Bosenavulagi and Victor Micallef whose experience will aid in replacing the departing Tim Jenkins, but they'll be tested early facing Deer Park, Westmeadows, West Coburg, and Tullamarine inside the first five rounds to give the EDFL community a good insight to where they'll be placed. They play Glenroy in Round One at Kings Park Reserve to kick off their EDFL journey.
2023 FIXTURE
