The 2024 season is just around the corner so EDFL Media will be previewing each club heading into Round One. Next, we chat to new Deer Park coach Jamie Madigan who provides some insights on their 2024 campaign.
2023: 2nd, Division One premiers, (14W, 4L, 199.71%)
Coach: Jamie Madigan
PRE-SEASON FOCUS
"A big focus this preseason was on improving the fitness levels of the players. We know the step from Division One into Premier Division will be a big one and that our fitness base must be very solid to ensure that we can run out games against the best clubs in the competition. Therefore, our preseason program consisted of high intensity fartlek and sprint training interspersed between skill drills and match simulation, with minimal rest periods.
"The players really committed themselves to the preseason training program and have reaped the rewards, by attaining a high level of fitness."
LIST SHAPE
"It has been very well documented that we have lost some very high-quality, multiple premiership players to other clubs. These players have been very difficult to replace as many were one-point players, which makes it difficult given we do not have Under 18s coming through.
"However, our recruiting has been strong with the likes of Jamieson House, Mason Crozier, Steven Georgiou, Majak and Anthony Daw signing on with the club. We also have a number of VFL-listed players including Josh Chatfield, Mutaz El Nour, Jack Noonan, Diesel Moloney, and Joshua Cooper who will play with us if not selected for their respective VFL clubs. Overall, the list is in pretty good shape."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
"Tom Mundy, Jackson Barling, and Billy Cannolo have had outstanding preseasons and are all ex-VFL-listed players who will be with us full time this year. All three players are very versatile and can play multiple positions as the team requires. Luke Scicchitano has had an outstanding preseason with Williamstown in the VFL and has had excellent games in or practice matches so far. Captain Spiros Amarantidis, has also excelled throughout the preseason and will play mostly as a forward this year and we expect him to hit the scoreboard regularly. Jamieson House, Steven Georgiou, and Mason Crozier will add height, strength, and experience to the backline."
2024 OUTLOOK
"Our aim is to settle into our first year in Premier Division and try and quickly become accustomed to the increased speed, skill, and tempo of the game. We would like to be as competitive as we can in every game and play an exciting brand of football , and the results will then look after themselves."
ON THE RECORD WITH JAMIE MADIGAN
Shot after the siren to win, who do you want kicking it?
Spiros Amarantidis.
Biggest pest at the club?
Jake McKenzie.
Who might be viewed as the coach's pet?
Grant Setterfield.
One opposition player you’d love on your side?
Matt Dennis (East Keilor).
Flag tip outside of Deer Park?
Keilor.
LODGED TRANSFERS
In: Mason Crozier (Kyneton), Steven Georgiou (Deer Park), Jacob Kavanagh (Caroline Springs), Mutaz El Nour (Caroline Springs), Jamieson House (Launceston), Josh Chatfield (North Ballarat), Anthony Daw (Moulamein), Diesel Moloney (Point Cook), Jack Noonan (Williamstown CYMS), Joshua Cooper (Sherwood Districts), Lukas Woodhouse (Port Melbourne Colts), Caiden Connelly (Eynesbury), Majak Daw (North Heidelberg), Jayden Baillie (Rupertswood) & Jamie Brook (Albanvale).
Out: Kevin Johnson (Yarraville Seddon Eagles), Craig Plant (Braybrook), Mick Edwards (Airport West), Tim Quick (East Keilor), Lachlan Smart (East Keilor), Nash Holmes (Montmorency), Jackson Connor (Airport West), Taygen Dennison (Sunshine), Mark Nicholls (East Keilor), Matthew Boyle (Huntly), Kobe Brown (West Preston-Lakeside) & Roger Boll (Glen Orden).
EDFL MEDIA SAYS
Deer Park will enter EDFL Premier Division after earning their spot with the Division One premiership and will be led by Jamie Madigan with some on-field personnel changes alongside him. Some key premiership players have departed but they'll unveil a host of new faces – some full time and some VFL-aligned – as they look to compete against the league's best. Many thought the Lions should've come straight in to this division but finals are far from guaranteed with the fight for the top five expected to hotly contested. They'll be tested immediately with red-hot flag favourites Keilor in Round 1.
Ladder Prediction: In the finals fight.
2024 FIXTURE
