The 2025 season is just around the corner so EDFL Media will be previewing each club heading into Round One. Next, we chat to Burnside Heights coach Cole Harvey who provides some insights on their 2025 campaign.
2024: 2nd (13W, 3L, 179.26%)
Coach: Cole Harvey
PRE-SEASON FOCUS
"We have had a focus on our offence this pre-season. When I arrived we needed to teach defence and we feel as though we are reasonably competent in that area now. Offence never really had the attention it probably deserved. So offence into forward connection has been a focus among all the other elements required."
LIST SHAPE
"Due to the circumstances the club has now found itself in we have been significantly hamstrung in terms of recruiting. We needed to recruit specifically with the long term survival of our club as the number one priority. The guys who we have picked up are the people we want in our senior program. All have football ability and will slot into positions we require.
"The overall list looks in reasonable shape. We have lost Daniel Hovey to Perth for work, Jaydon and Josh Stiles have headed bush, Nick Gregson and Lachie Evans more recently. In saying that, with only a month out from Round 1 we were dealing with the sanctions handed down to our club so we had to work through that with our playing list. Our points will be mid 30s which is positive with an eye on the future."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
"We have been able to get games into our young brigade over the past two seasons and with that they have all come back in great condition and have continued to work hard since early November. Ben Ryan is having his first full pre-season and is showing the benefits, his role will change in 2025. Josh Neralic, Marcus D’Angelo, Luke Bonello, Zack Williams (new recruit), Matthew Larkin, Mason Bawden, Tyson Iglesias, and Dylan Payne (returning junior) have been prominent, and we are particularly excited about some 18s boys who have had solid pre-seasons such as Ethan Dalla Rosa, Dante Iuele, Cade Anset, and Matthew Stevenson.
CLUB INITIATIVES & ACTIVITIES
"We have introduced more connection activities on top of our physical training. We had a great camp in February, an Amazing Race day in the city along with other activities involving the senior women, 18s girls and boys, and senior men. Our club culture continues to grow in a positive light."
2025 OUTLOOK
"As a club, we were buoyed by having our 18s boys and girls back in 2024. The boys 18s head coach Liam Cauchi has done a wonderful job with this group and we have some terrific young boys coming into the program from our 16s. We would love to see our 18s competing strongly for a finals spot. These will be our players of the future and we are working hard to develop these young athletes in the best possible way. We have a great connection between seniors and 18s due to us all training together during the pre-season.
"Our 18s girls played with 14 players in 2024 and at times needed to forfeit games due to injuries. This year we have about 23 girls on the list and the girls are keen to challenge the opposition with a full team. Exciting times ahead!"
ON THE RECORD WITH COLE HARVEY
Who is the unsung hero at the club?
Like all clubs we have a few. A lady who does so much without fuss is Ana Mulipola.
MVP of the gym?
Tyson Iglesias the clear winner here. Ant Vitalone and Jordan Hughes in the chasing pack.
Player most likely to become a coach one day?
Mason Bawden. An outstanding human, a natural leader with great empathy to connect with others.
Who has the quickest set of wheels?
Jacob “Snake” Elia and Habib “Gaz” Hosni have some serious wheels. In a race, possible dead heat. Both have huge noses so it's hard to split them!
Who’s Mr. Reliable week in and week out?
Gee, hard to go past Mr. Four-Time Best and Fairest Jordan Hughes! Not sure I have seen Tyson Iglesias play poorly. Lukey Bonello and Marcus D’Angelo are very reliable and durable.
Who’s one opposition player you’d love on your side?
Fraser Phelan-Smith from Rupertswood. Watch for this kid. Rolls Royce is the nickname we gave him at the Calder Cannons. He is in the same mould as Tyson Young. Big, athletic, skilled and a great young man. The kid can play anywhere.
What match are you most looking forward to in 2025 and why?
Gee tough question, game day is my favorite day of the week so I am looking forward to playing everyone. But if there has to be one or two then Westmeadows first. They got us fair and square in the preliminary final in 2024 and they let us know all about it. Plus Ash Flavel is a rippa and we enjoy a beer or two after our games talking all things footy.
Rupertswood is the other one, so many boys I worked with at Calder play at Rupo so I am really looking forward to watching them play then enjoy some time together after the game.
Flag tip outside of Burnside Heights?
Coburg Districts or Westmeadows.
LODGED TRANSFERS
In: Jackson Mercieca (Sunbury Kangaroos), Brandon Yankovski (East Sunbury), Damon Mariluch (Melton Centrals), Matthew Micevski (Point Cook), Zack Williams (Hillside), Dylan Payne (Sunshine), Jack Vella (East Keilor), Daniel Yankovski (Hillside), Malindu Wijesuriya (East Keilor), Max Bonello (Hillside).
Out: Jaydon Stiles (Gordon), Nicholas Gregson (Mernda), Lachlan Evans (Mernda), Joshua Stiles (Gordon), Liam Proh (Keilor Park), Edward Proh (Keilor Park), Isaiah Abela (Deer Park), Aaron Azzopardi (Deer Park), Jordan Madafferi (Melton South), Ryan Czerniecki (Western Rams), Hayden Da Cruz (Gisborne Giants), Edwin Hayden (Northside Lions Superules), Michael Scicchitano (Melton South), Daniel Hovey (Baldivis), Daniel Yoannidis (Laverton Magpies), Declan Highgate (Marong), Julian Costanzo (Western Rams).
EDFL MEDIA SAYS
The Bears were one week away from a grand final appearance in 2024, but will be without majority of the recruits that made that happen in 2025. Daniel Hovey (51 goals), Nick Gregson (48 goals), Jaydon Stiles (23 goals), Lachie Evans (third EDFL Best and Fairest and 10 goals), and Josh Stiles were key contributors in 2024 and have since departed Tenterfield Drive. It's hard to place the Bears in 2025 as there is still plenty of talent at their disposal, but you'd think with those departures and the progression of the rest of the competition that retaining that finals spot will be a battle.
Ladder Prediction: Mid-table.
