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 Pascoe Vale coach Leigh Tudor who provides some insights on their 2024 campaign.
2023: 2nd (13W, 5L, 138.58%)
Coach: Leigh Tudor
PRE-SEASON FOCUS
"For me the focus has been around getting to know all the players, coaching staff, volunteers, supporters, and sponsors. As a group, we've been working on decision making, skill fundamentals and execution, and embracing change."
LIST SHAPE
"The club has added some quality people who are willing to work hard and play for the team. We have a good mix of experience and youth and we'll have many Under 18s that will push for selection this year."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
"Lachlan Stredwick, Matt Stillman, Matt Watson, Daman Aujla, and Ahmad Saad have all been exceptional on and off field with their leadership and team care.
"We have many Under 18s pushing for Round 1 selection so the club has done a great job developing our juniors, led by Daniel Harris, Jake Pantas, Sam Scollo, and Tony Paragalli."
2024 OUTLOOK
"We're aiming for continual improvement, we come to training to get better every session and I love the growth mindset of our group, they work hard and are willing to learn and challenge themselves."
ON THE RECORD WITH LEIGH TUDOR
You’ve spent a lot of time at higher levels over your career, what has impressed you with the playing group since assuming the head coaching role at Pascoe Vale?
The players want to get better – I think they play the right way with hard, contested footy, they respect the game, the opposition, and our club.
The senior group has made back-to-back prelims, do you consider much of their past success from a coaching perspective or do you come in with a blank slate for all the players?
My belief is making a preliminary final in a very good competition is a successful year but not the ultimate success, which is what we are all after. Digby Morrell has done a great job with the group and we need to continue to improve, embrace change, and work hard for each other every session and game to match it with the best clubs in the EDFL.
Shot after the siren to win, who do you want kicking it?
Daman Aujla.
Biggest pest at the club?
Jesse Vasilas.
Who might be viewed as the coach's pet?
Jesse Vasilas.
One opposition player you’d love on your side?
Jack Brown (Keilor).
Flag tip outside of Pascoe Vale?
Keilor.
LODGED TRANSFERS
In: Jeremy Rodi (Merbein), Jared Eckersley (Broadbeach), Mohammed Yassine (West Preston-Lakeside), Jake Moorhead (Strathfieldsaye), Jye Piescik (Oak Park), Mitchell Egan (Therry Penola), Ethan Ritchie (Chiltern), Ahmed Saad (West Preston-Lakeside), Cooper Richardson (Therry Penola), Lukas Dimech (Coburg Districts), Robert Ahern (Therry Penola), Matthew Verduci (Reservoir), Ryan Bagaric (Keilor Park), Liam Bagaric (Keilor Park), Muhammad Said (West Coburg) & Christian Scarpino (Oak Park).
Out: Dylan Arnold (Rushworth), Michael Sikora (Tullamarine), Abdulah El-Rafei (Northern Saints), Ahmed Zahraman (Airport West), Joseph Sophia (Glenroy), Brad Inglis (Freeling), Stefan Valensisi (Northern Saints), Adam Clemente (Oak Park), Owen Train (Tweed Coast), Liam Di Martino (Canterbury), Ben McDonell (Cheltenham), Josh Cauchi (Cobden), Jacob Polizzi (Hadfield), Arthur Armstrong (Cobden), Zain Yamak (Hillside), Mitch Heywood (Tatura), Daniel Brisci (Brunswick), Maclayn Hallows (Lavington) & Jibril Yamak (Hillside).
EDFL MEDIA SAYS
It was a second consecutive preliminary final exit for the Panthers who provided Keilor one of their few scares early in the 2023 season. Leigh Tudor has replaced Digby Morrell and will relish having Ahmed Saad at his disposal alongside a suite of players with VFL experience. Pascoe Vale should expect to find themselves in the top end of the ladder as they look to go one week further than last season.
Ladder Prediction: Double-chance territory.
2024 FIXTURE
