With the 2023 season just around the corner, EDFL Media will be previewing each club heading into Round One. Next, we chat to new Strathmore coach Marty Allison who provides some insights on their 2023 campaign.
2022: 2nd, premiers (14W, 4L, 190.32%)
Coach: Marty Allison (first season, replacing Matthew Horne)
PRE-SEASON FOCUS
"The focus has been around continuous improvement, every side is going to improve – we've seen that every year, this competition just keeps getting better. We don't think we've climbed the mountain and that's it, we've focused on collective improvement and individual improvement."
LIST SHAPE
"We have a well-earned reputation for development from within our junior program. Last year's grand final side had 16 homegrown players which is a fantastic effort, playing the grand final on 23 points when the minimum is 22 – I don't know whether any other side in Victoria has won a grand final on that many points! We want to continue that, ensuring younger players coming through can see a pathway into the seniors.
"That said, recruiting for us has seen the return of two players from previous years, one of whom is a Strathmore junior in Tom Condon, and the other player is Liam Cavanagh who has come back to the footy club. Both are great additions forward and back of centre. We also picked up a young bloke who happens to be living in Melbourne from Adelaide in Isaac Brill."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
"Callum Clinnick's had a really good summer, Ben Holian's also had a really good summer, Cooper West too. These are all young blokes coming through the club that we hope will really take the next step in their development."
2023 OUTLOOK
"This time of year, 10 clubs reckon they can win the premiership and we're no different to that. But that's not a goal, our goal is around improvement, focusing on individual and collective improvement. We all start again, everyone goes back to zero – it's about making sure we can stay with the pack."
LODGED TRANSFERS
In: Harry Jones (Wodonga), Nathan Marcola (West Coburg), Reece Billane (West Augusta), James Sala (Tyntynder), Cody Rodwell (Sunbury Lions), James Hall (Sunbury), Isaac Brill (Seaton Ramblers), Isaak Warburton (PEGS), Luke Malone (PEGS), James O'Meara (Oak Park), Wil Oosterhof (Oak Park), Jye Harry (Kerang), Max Cirigliano (Irymple), Tom Condon (Glenelg), David Tyquin (Diggers Rest), Cooper Keogh (Coburg Districts) & Liam Cavanagh (Ararat).
Out: Isaac Dukic (Parkside), Luca Winkel (Parkside), Matthew Harrington (St Bernards), Lachlan Peplow (Keilor), Dean O'Brien (Carngham Linton), Jack Ford (Therry Penola), Ben Mastromanno (Therry Penola), Riley Tabone (Therry Penola), Matthew Dearnley (Tullamarine), Isaac Le Pastrier (Oak Park), Nicholas Ingleton (Macorna), Lachlan Fish (Wangaratta), Cian O'Callaghan (Spotswood), Michael Mayne (Westmeadows), William O'Connell (St Bernards), Bryce Mann (Marrar), Joshua Helliwell (Yarraville Seddon Eagles), Samuel O'Loughlin (Carngham Linton) & Matthew Knight (Carngham Linton).
EDFL MEDIA SAYS
Coming off one of the all-time great grand final victories in a thrilling contest against Aberfeldie, new Mores coach Marty Allison isn't content on resting on the side's laurels, fully understanding it's a new season and that ongoing improvement is necessary. Developing homegrown talent continues to be a focus for Allison and the club with a strong contingent of junior players featuring at senior level in the past, and moving forward. With this mindset, Tom Condon returns to the club after spending time with Glenelg in the SANFL, while Liam Cavanagh returns from country footy. They'll be tested first up on Good Friday when they travel to face Keilor.
2023 FIXTURE
