The 2024 season is just around the corner so EDFL Media will be previewing each club heading into Round One. Next, we chat to Taylors Lakes coach Steve Burns who provides some insights on their 2024 campaign.
2023: 2nd (13W, 3L, 162.7%)
Coach: Steve Burns (second full season)
PRE-SEASON FOCUS
"A lot of our focus has been on refining the game plan, trusting it and training to it. Fitness again is always a focus for us to improve each preseason which we have done."
LIST SHAPE
"We haven’t heavily recruited but have picked up exactly what we wanted to plug the holes we needed to. The list is very good with numbers and depth looking great."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
"Bowey and Torey Larizza have had big preseasons and are ready to improve, the likes of Ethan Caffari, Mitch Jones, and Tomi Ibarra have all been really good as well.
"In terms of our recruits, Brandon Raad, Declan Wakefield, and Vinnie Schiavello have been the standouts but Ben Weightman will be our best recruit."
2024 OUTLOOK
"Our goals are as always – try to make finals, top two, and give yourself a real chance to win it!
"The club is going great off the field and our senior list will continue to grow and develop."
ON THE RECORD WITH STEVE BURNS
It was a steep rise back into finals which was only a kick away from a grand final berth. What was your message to the group at the end of the season?
Learn from the experience of playing finals, most of our group had not played finals before and while we didn’t win one, we showed some really good signs for this year and beyond.
Let the losses hurt and remember them during preseason and during the year.
You stressed that a focus last year was to continue building a good culture and obviously a winning culture always helps, but have you identified any key differences within the group from when you took over?
They're certainly maturing, they still have a way to go as they are so young but they're a lot fitter and their body shapes are really coming along. Their general training form has improved greatly.
Our bond and culture is fantastic and will hopefully continue to get even better!
Shot after the siren to win, who do you want kicking it?
Ben Weightman
Biggest pest at the club?
Josh Giacomelli
Who might be viewed as the coach's pet?
Always Josh Giacomelli
One opposition player you'd love on your side?
Jordan Hughes (Burnside Heights) or Josh Trembearth (Hadfield)
Flag tip outside of Taylors Lakes?
Too hard to answer with one team!
LODGED TRANSFERS
In: Lachlan McMullin (Keilor), Ben Spargo (Keilor), Brandon Raad (Airport West), Yanni Apostolidis (Caroline Springs), Connor Roach (North Footscray), Declan Wakefield (North Footscray), Ben Weightman (Mount Pleasant), Vincent Schiavello (Keilor Park), Shaun Ujcich (North Footscray), Matt Brown (Keilor Park), Joel Sposato (Hillside Superules), Nathanael Smith (Keilor Park), Michael Di Pietro (Western Saints Superules) & Dylan Birdo (Tullamarine).
Out: Bernardo Tenace (Northern Saints), James Wemm (Sunshine Heights), Reece Sidebottom (Echuca United), Frank Agresta (Coburg Districts), Darren Marks (Doveton Eagles), Liam Thornton (Keilor) & Max Hobbs (Echuca United).
EDFL MEDIA SAYS
The Lions enjoyed a significant boost up the ladder and were agonisingly close to a grand final berth in 2023. With their list retention and the recruits they've brought in, on paper it looks as though Taylors Lakes will only improve again. While we share Steve Burns' sentiment that it'll yet again be an open and even competition, his group are well and truly in the premiership conversation – if not the favourites – and they'll have a chance to avenge their preliminary final heartbreak when they take on Sunbury Kangaroos in Round 1.
Ladder Prediction: Top two.
2024 FIXTURE
