The 2024 season is just around the corner so EDFL Media will be previewing each club heading into Round One. Next, we chat to Westmeadows coach Ash Flavel who provides some insights on their 2024 campaign.
2023: 11th (4W, 14L, 66.9%)
Coach: Ash Flavel (second season)
PRE-SEASON FOCUS
"A big focus has been continuing to improve our fitness and team chemistry, while making the football club a place where our current players and recruits can enjoy their footy and develop."
LIST SHAPE
"We have recruited a few and brought a few one-pointers back to the club, which is great, but we have made it a big focus to retain our list, which we have achieved.
"If we look at our list from our last game of last year, we have retained 19/22, and, as I said before, we’ve added a few who we feel can make an immediate impact at the senior level."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
"Honestly, I can list 15 blokes as we have a young list and I can’t wait to see what they can do – especially considering all the work they have put in over the preseason."
2024 OUTLOOK
"The aim is to play in a final and go from there. The group is putting it on themselves this year to perform, and as a coach, that has been great to see."
ON THE RECORD WITH ASH FLAVEL
While the ending wasn’t what the club was after, there were a lot of promising signs at the back end of 2023. What impact did those last few games have on the group with two good wins and a close loss?
It was a promising finish with some convincing wins, but it just wasn’t enough, unfortunately. The form some of our boys ran into heading into the end of the season is something I want them to continue to build on, which I have faith they will do.
You had to contend with a mass exodus in your first preseason at the helm, what differences have you noticed within the group heading into 2024?
We feel that moment in time has built some resilience within the group and the club. It was a challenging time, but we have put in a lot of work to get where we are now. The current group of boys are close, and I love the respect that they show each other and the work they all put in to be better.
The aim is to continue to build on this chemistry, and fingers crossed, things go our way, and we have a positive year.
Shot after the siren to win, who do you want kicking it?
Shaun O’Grady
Biggest pest at the club?
Too many to list
One opposition player you’d love on your side?
There would be quite a few from each side id love in our side, to many great plyers to mention
Flag tip outside of Westmeadows?
Really open this year, most clubs have recruited really well. Going to be a great comp.
LODGED TRANSFERS
In: Jakob Hanlon (Coburg Districts), Jordan Taglieri-Sclocchi (Moreton Bay), Connor Michielin (Coburg Districts), Corey McCawley (Roxburgh Park), Kayne Councillor (Three Springs), Jake Watson (Roxburgh Park) & Sean Andrews (Oak Park).
Out: Finbar Delbridge (South West Sydney Blues), Omar El-Ladekani (Glenroy), James Duell (Albanvale), Dayne Tannenberg (East Sunbury), Michael Gillard (Epping), Michael Portelli (Hillside), Robert Castiglia (Maryborough), Alexander Aleksovski (Whitehorse Pioneers), Shaun Knott (Marong), Joshua Hale (Brunswick), Caleb Tucker (Oak Park), Can Demir (Oak Park), Daniel Field (Greater Springfield), Jake Galizia (Mernda), Ibrahim Hammoud (Glenroy) & Patrick Worden (Hadfield).
EDFL MEDIA SAYS
It was a tough season for Westmeadows who had to contend with a mass exodus from their semi final side of 2022, but the young group showed some positive signs to finish the season. The Tigers were a fighting chance of avoiding relegation, but they'll feel renewed in Division Two with a chance to regain some on-field success. They'll be similarly unpredictable early on like Glenroy which could play into their favour.
Ladder Prediction: Could be in the finals hunt, mid-table.
2024 FIXTURE
