With the 2023 season just around the corner, EDFL Media will be previewing each club heading into Round One. Next, we chat to new Tullamarine coach Ben Tankard who provides some insights on their 2023 campaign.
2022: 2nd (15W, 3L, 153.32%)
Coach: Ben Tankard (first season, replacing David Connell and Ben Chapman)
PRE-SEASON FOCUS
"The focus has been on learning a new system and building a fitness base so we can execute it. We’ve had fantastic numbers on the track all summer and there is a lot excitement ahead of Round 1."
LIST SHAPE
"After a disappointing finals exit in 2022, a significant amount of senior players have either moved on or retired. It will be a very different looking Tullamarine in 2023.
"Our recruiting targeted younger players that we think can break out given some opportunity and add to the club's depth. It’s important we consolidate as a club, nurture our young talent, and build towards our next push to get to Premier.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
"Returning junior Steve McCallum (Ex Williamstown, Montmorency) is our highest profile recruit and he has been influential over the summer. We are very excited about some of younger players on the list that we will expose to Senior footy early in the year.
"Austin Warden and Patrick Taylor are two that will debut in Round 1, and I see breakout seasons for young ruck/forwards Jacob McNicol and Jarrod Stephens.
2023 OUTLOOK
"We are aiming to be competitive in every game we play, while developing our homegrown talent and consolidating the club's future. Having a temporary home base this season is a challenge we will need to overcome, but whatever we do this year, we will be in a much stronger position to return home in 12 months.
LODGED TRANSFERS
In: Jacob Palombo (Essendon Doutta Stars), Andrew Daly (St Johns OC), Milan Renga (Oak Park), Tristan Truong (Maribyrnong Park), Thomas Filipovic (Essendon Doutta Stars), Chris Rallis (Westmeadows), Austin Warden (Westmeadows), Stefan Gianchino (Glenroy), Patrick Taylor (Westmeadows), Matthew Dearnley (Strathmore), Mitchell Cook (Westmeadows), Brandon McRedmond (Westbourne Grammarians), Jacob McNicol (Girgarre), Scott Liversidge (Keilor), Rohan Nicol (Gisborne), Fletcher Smith (Airport West), Jayden Hind (Westbourne Grammarians), Thomas Jackson (Essendon Doutta Stars), Dean Bartrop (Kyneton) & Stephen McCallum (Montmorency).
Out: Daniel Pye (Westmeadows), Jordan Port (Wallan), Buckley Chapman (Sunshine), Daniel Trikilis (Northern Saints), Peter Dispenzeri (Northern Saints), Nicholas Bruno (Northern Saints), Shannon Bennett (Mernda), Lucas Pascoe (Koo Wee Rup), Michael Gatt (Keilor Park), Sebastian Lefavi (Ivanhoe), Ryan Lojko (Hillside), Alessio Gobbo (Hillside), Anthony Prestia (Hillside), Shannon Dowsett (Heathcote), Ethan Hope (Hadfield), Richard Ilsley (Greenvale), Dylan Fsadni (Greenvale), Freddy Mitri (Glenroy), Philip Brown (Glenroy), Jeremy Condie (Glenroy), Nathan Sciberras (East Sunbury), Kane Vanroosmalen (East Sunbury), Samuel Laffan (Craigieburn), Bradley Allen (Caulfield Bears), Billy Hobson (Caroline Springs), Bryce Davidson (Bundoora), Shaun McKernan (Bundoora), Lane Tucker (Broadford), Lachlan Robins (Braybrook) & Anthony Liberatore (Airport West).
EDFL MEDIA SAYS
Tullamarine has been one of the busiest clubs this off season and continually find a way to be one of the top sides in Division One, and it's hard to find a reason to suggest that won't again be the case in 2023. One of the biggest departures however is Shaun McKernan who is on the move to Bundoora, while they have lost some quality depth. With the returns of Dean Bartrop, Stephen McCallum, and more, Tulla will be confident they will have plugged these holes in their depth, but time will tell how they cover McKernan's exit. They will face one of the premiership favourite in West Coburg Round 1.
2023 FIXTURE
