With the 2023 season just around the corner, EDFL Media will be previewing each club heading into Round One. Next, we chat to Taylors Lakes coach Steve Burns who provides some insights on their 2023 campaign.
2022: 6th (5W, 10L, 1D, 111.22%)
Coach: Steve Burns (returning after coaching remainder of 2022)
PRE-SEASON FOCUS
"Our main focusses have been fitness, structure, setting standards, and getting some belief into the group due to the lack of success over past years. It’s not an easy area to fix but the young group we have, responded remarkably well to everything we have thrown at them.
"We feel we have addressed all of these areas on the training track and we need to see how this translates against real opposition."
LIST SHAPE
"We have tried really hard to address the list we were given and feel we have put in place a list capable of being competitive every week, we would – like all clubs – love another one or two talls. We have been lucky to get some returning players who will add greatly our list and depth in Trent Forbes, Andrew Gallina, Jack Burns, Max Hobbs, Vinnie Angelone, and others."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
"Some of our new recruits are Raaf Rachrache, Jake Toa, Aaron Vendramini, Mitch Jones, and Sammy Kosmak who should all make us better, most of the guys we have bought in have played at a higher level and present themselves well culturally which we believe is important as well. Of the younger locals Josh Vassolo, Jaxon Holliday, and Tomi Ibarra have had huge pre seasons and will continue to improve at this level."
2023 OUTLOOK
"Our goals are open ended, we are looking for improvement and growth from the majority of our list, we haven’t set expectations on the group as such, but finals is the obvious goal in what is going to be a very even competition. Any side on any given week could beat each other so being prepared, having depth and availability of better players will all play a big part in where we finish."
"The main goal for this group is to start winning games of football and learning to win close games together, and for the club it is about regaining respect in the competition and continually looking to improve our standing in the EDFL. The committee have worked extremely hard to get the club profitable again and we have added people into the club in sponsorship and some supporters getting back involved in assisting us – we will continue to evolve."
LODGED TRANSFERS
In: Jake Toa (Essendon Doutta Stars), Frankie Galtieri (Airport West), Patrick Dunster (Airport West), Vincent Angelone (Burnside Heights), Liam Caffari (Caroline Springs), Mitchell Ford (Craigieburn), Jack Burns (East Keilor), Alex Villani (East Keilor), Reece Sidebottom (Echuca), Darcy Tamer (Essendon Doutta Stars), Michael Sposato (Essendon Doutta Stars), Rhys Bradley (Hillside), Zain Siddique (Hillside), Aaron Brown (Jacana), Daniel DeVito (Keilor), Anthony Trajcevski (Keilor), Marcus Just (Keilor Park), Akash Malhotra (Masala), Trent Forbes (Mitiamo), Mitchell Jones (Northcote Park), Eren Genc (Northern Saints), Samuel Kosmak (Northern Saints), Austin Young (PEGS), Samuel Domazetovski (PEGS), Raafat Rachrache (Roxburgh Park), Chevy Clements (St Albans) & Aaron Vendramini (Westmeadows).
Out: Matthew Scarpino (East Keilor), Nathan Scerri (East Keilor), Anthony Tiricola (Avondale Heights), Trent Reilly (St Albans), Tyler Rogers (Melton South), Joel Sposato (Hillside Superules) & Jamie Bursic (Western Saints).
EDFL MEDIA SAYS
After finishing season 2022 at the helm, Steve Burns is back at the Den with a full pre-season under his belt with a playing group that boasts a lot of familiar and formidable faces in the EDFL community. Raaf Rachrache, Jake Toa, and Aaron Vendramini are among these recruits as Burns aims to push Taylors Lakes up the ladder in the Strathmore Community Bank Division Two competition following five wins in 2022. Rachrache is coming off a 29-goal season with Roxburgh Park and will provide a strong option ahead of the footy, while Toa adds a versatile big body to the mix. With plenty of recruits and returning players, it will be an interesting watch with Taylors Lakes who'll have an immediate test against Oak Park at Lionheart Reserve.
2023 FIXTURE
