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 Hillside coach Chris Daley who provides some insights on their 2024 campaign.
2023: 5th (11W, 7L, 109.53%)
Coach: Chris Daley
PRE-SEASON FOCUS
"We set out to improve our list from an experience perspective as we were and are quite a young group. The thought was that this would help the players on ground in real time. In doing so, this has raised our training standards to a level they have never seen before.
"We felt we were a long way off the mark as far as preparation goes. Players were doing enough to get themselves a game, but not enough to give them or us the best opportunities for success. We believe our pre-season has addressed this with most of the boys running PB’s in their time trials when we came back post-Christmas. The challenge now is to take that into the season and see where we land!"
LIST SHAPE
"Bringing Robbie Castello and Mo Kaakour into coaching roles, and the Caruso brothers to the playing group has lifted standards and expectations immediately. These guys have played and coached at Premier level for a long time and bring with them a ‘local football level’ of professionalism. The playing group has embraced the opportunity to learn and develop from this experienced group.
"We were thrilled with the immediate signing of approximately 95 per cent of last year's list, even before naming a coach. The group had a taste of finals footy last year and could see we were building something special together. The only way we could get there again was to retain the bulk and add on a needs basis. We’re confident we've achieved this. Unfortunately, we lost Rusi Kumatai and Bailey Ryan who were two very important players for us, but we feel we’ve been able to add absolute quality to our list which, hopefully, can take us deeper this year."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
"We’re expecting big things from players in the mid-twenty age bracket this year. Leaders within our club including Zak Wunhym, Anthony Prestia, Jeremy Hayes, and Lachie Pettigrove. Jack Tarr has been terrific through the pre-season and is keen to make a mark at this level.
"Younger players like Riley Miksa, Lucas Failli, Tyson Gill, and Ryan Schiavone have another twenty-odd games of senior footy under their belt so the expectation on those types goes up. We’ve been fortunate to secure Zain Yamak, 21-year-old from Pascoe Vale and Nick Fluke, 19-year-old from Strathmore this side of Christmas and, from what we’ve seen, they will be classy additions to our group."
2024 OUTLOOK
"Obviously, we’d be looking to play finals. It'd be nice to go one or two games further this year. The aim is to find improvement from within the group which would hold us in good stead throughout the season.
"With our Reserves winning last year's premiership, and our 18s winning the year previous, we feel we have the talent at all levels to potentially challenge at the business end. The playing group is in good shape, but more importantly, the club is as strong as it's been in its short history. We’re ready!"
ON THE RECORD WITH CHRIS DALEY
Having been involved as an assistant, did you feel much of a shift in the transition to the head coaching role?
Funny enough; I applied to be head coach for the 2019 season but had to withdraw for personal reasons at the time. I’d coached against most of these boys at junior and 18s level, so I knew the talent and capabilities of the group would be hitting its sweet spot very soon. Two years as an assistant has enabled me to develop strong relationships with key people and players at the club. The transition to the head coach role has been as smooth as could be hoped for.
How will the coaching collaboration look?
Very fortunate to have the assistance of Mo Kaakour, Robbie Castello, and Grant Nicolazzo. These guys have been in and around EDFL footy for as long as I can remember. They’ve been given the licence and freedom to speak up at every opportunity as we look to maximise their skillsets. They bring a wealth of experience with them which will be of great benefit for our playing group.
The greatest gift they will bring however, is education. Robbie will continue to play as an on-field assistant.
The past couple of years we have coached the group around what we want our game to look like. Now, the time is right to coach the ‘why’ and the ‘how’.
Shot after the siren to win, who do you want kicking it?
Josh Covelli or Zain Yamak
Biggest pest at the club?
Let’s just say Yappa (Alex Koeleman).
Who might be viewed as the coach's pet?
They’re a lot like your kids. You love them all equally! (maybe Jack Tarr).
One opposition player you’d love on your side?
Adeola Akintola (St Albans). Coached him at 18s level. Has developed into a terrific player.
Flag tip outside of Hillside?
St Albans.
LODGED TRANSFERS
In: Rob Castello (Keilor Park), Joshua Renda (Keilor), Habib Hosni (Burnside Heights), Jake Gatto (Keilor Park), Luke Marston (East Keilor), Fort Caruso (Greenvale), Cameron Johns (Caroline Springs), Darcy Franks (Keilor Park), Michael Portelli (Westmeadows), Nat Caruso (Greenvale), Luke Moutafis (Keilor), George Guicas (Keilor Park), Aiden Cassar (Keilor Park), Zain Yamak (Pascoe Vale), Blake Fairservice (Airport West), Riley Young (Caroline Springs), Chris Bachtsevanos (East Keilor), Zach Patrick (Caroline Springs), Shayne Killender (Tarneit), Cameron Absolum (Caroline Springs), Nicholas Fluke (Strathmore), Beau Russell (Caroline Springs), Joseph Brancatisano (Tarneit), Antonio-Carlos Zammit (Burnside Heights), Billy Hobson (Avondale Heights), Stephen Creed (Taylors Lakes), Thomas Raffaele (Burnside Heights), Jibril Yamak (Pascoe Vale) & Jessie Hutchins (Caroline Springs).
Out: Amar El Nour (Albion), Nicholas Cugliari (Burnside Heights), Andrej Krunic (Burnside Heights), Liam Henderson (Point Cook Centrals), James Miller (Braybrook), Adrian Gullace (North Brunswick), Bailey Ryan (Essendon Doutta Stars), Jordy Brown (Romsey), James Krstin (St Albans), Jake Vicic (St Albans), Rusiate Komaitai (Coburg Districts), Jack Gusman (Coburg Districts), Jack Bruce (East Sunbury), Jacob Bitzer (Glen Orden), Noah Baker (North Sunshine), Aliyy Elmaghraby (East Keilor), Daniel Chilcott (Laverton Magpies), Andrew Lynch (Bacchus Marsh), Liam Harper (Old Trinity Grammarians), Michael Francis (Northcote Park), Kye Rishworth (Yea), Luke Ford (Burnside Heights), Jackson Volpato (St Albans) & Alex Tsia (St Albans).
EDFL MEDIA SAYS
The Sharks were able to taste some finals success in 2023, but it's clear now that they're prepared to challenge for further success with strong recruiting to bolster their top end. The inclusions of the experienced Robbie Castello and Fort and Nat Caruso are incredibly valuable on and off field and will add some class to this Hillside outfit. Their contributions beyond this season will remain to be seen but the Sharks should find themselves in the battle up the top of the ladder come season's end.
Ladder Prediction: Will be in double-chance territory.
2024 FIXTURE
