The 2024 season is just around the corner so EDFL Media will be previewing each club heading into Round One. Next, we chat to East Keilor co-coach Pat Christofi who provides some insights on their 2024 campaign.
2023: 4th (12W, 6L, 113%)
Coaches: Pat Christofi and Ali Hamad.
PRE-SEASON FOCUS
"Implementing a game plan was the focal point of the pre-season – having no game plan in 2023 hurt us. Pre-season as a whole was used to educate the players on the way we intended to play."
LIST SHAPE
"We identified we needed speed as the game was getting a lot faster. There was also a need for a couple of key position players and a younger list."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
"Some of the new boys in Lachlan Smart, Nayef Hamad, Tyson Old, and Michael Dalrymple will be good to watch. The likes of Bruno Laguda, Ben Caluzzi, Frank Campisi, Zen Christofi, Dion Hill, and Matty Dennis will be exciting again."
2024 OUTLOOK
"The obvious goal is to be playing finals and go better than 2023. I'm excited to be back in the hot seat moulding the group my way again, best part about being the head coach."
ON THE RECORD WITH PAT CHRISTOFI
Shot after the siren to win, who do you want kicking it?
Charles Van Der Byl or Frank Campisi.
Biggest pest at the club?
Ben Silvagni or Leon Bektash.
Who might be viewed as the coach's pet?
Nobody, no pets at EK.
One opposition player you’d love on your side?
Brad Xavier (Keilor).
Flag tip outside of East Keilor?
Keilor.
LODGED TRANSFERS
In: Tyson Old (Red Cliffs), Jason Ryan (Wyndham Suns), Tim Quick (Deer Park), Tom Silvagni (Old Xaverians), Ismail Moussa (Newport), Malik Elfakahani (West Preston-Lakeside), Nayef Hamad (Newport), Reuben William (Redland-Victoria Point), Dean Roberts (Brunswick), Hussien Kadour (Newport), Aliyy Elmaghraby (Hillside), Kamal Badra (Newport), Lachlan Smart (Deer Park), Robbie McComb (Western Bulldogs), Abdul-Rahmen Abdo (Parkside), Michael Dalrymple (Tullamarine), Danny-Lee Rigby (Mernda), Aojak Mayen (North Shore), Adrian Hallal (Keilor Park), Benjamin Nesci (Thomastown), Jake Napoli (Keilor Park), Mark Nicholls (Deer Park) & Edwin Nyembo (St Mary's).
Out: Brandon Coletta (St Albans), James Gazetas (Braybrook), Austin Harris (North Adelaide), Jamie Liddle (Parkside), Ethan Langwell (Parkside), Cameron Wild (Hurstbridge), Luke Marston (Hillside), Michael Walsh (Western Rams), Dean Muir (Sunbury), Chris Stewart (Wallan), Mark Mazzeo (Sunshine), Caleb Smith (Cobden), Joel Pickering (Keilor Park), Lindon Bektash (Keilor Park), Nicholas Grabowski (Wycheproof Narraport), Chris Bachtsevanos (Hillside), Lachlan Dickie (Dookie United), Riley Hardiman (Sunbury Kangaroos), Heath Beveridge (Mitta United), Luke Peters (Keilor Park), Kamal Badra (Newport) & Anthony Tashevski-Beckwith (Old Melburnians).
EDFL MEDIA SAYS
East Keilor were able to make great strides in countering their depth issues with a big recruiting spree, bringing in a number of quality players in the process. Their points will be squeezed even tighter with the departure of some best-22 players but they'll certainly have the cattle to be pushing for finals. Consistency will be the key for the Cougars who experienced interruptions and lapses during 2023, simultaneously showing their best in providing Keilor their closest result.
Ladder Prediction: In the finals fight.
2024 FIXTURE
