The 2025 season is just around the corner so EDFL Media will be previewing each club heading into Round One. Next, we chat to East Keilor coach Justin Sherman who provides some insights on their 2025 campaign.
2024: 9th (4W, 13L, 1D, 63.93%)
Coach: Justin Sherman
PRE-SEASON FOCUS
"We've focused on fitness, fundamentals, and youth development."
LIST SHAPE
"The turnover of our playing group was inevitable, there has been investment in youth and energy."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
"Ben Nicholl – big pre-season rewarded with captaincy and loyalty."
2025 OUTLOOK
"Implement a strong gameplan and develop our youth for the future. We want to have a high investment in juniors."
ON THE RECORD WITH JUSTIN SHERMAN
Who is the unsung hero at the club?
Team effort – all helpers and volunteers.
MVP of the gym?
Majok.
Player most likely to become a coach one day?
Andy Ruberto.
Who has the quickest set of wheels?
Lachie Jones.
Favourite piece of coaching wisdom?
Five minutes early is 10 minutes late. Preparation is key.
Who’s one opposition player you’d love on your side?
Tyson Young (Airport West).
What match are you most looking forward to in 2025 and why?
Round 1 – start of a new chapter.
Flag tip outside of East Keilor?
Aberfeldie.
LODGED TRANSFERS
In: Damom Eastwell (Warragul), Arnold Kirby (Woorinen), Matthew O'Sullivan (Bentleigh), Jakob Glenk (Aberfeldie), Imanuil Afiuo (St Albans), Hayden Trewick (Kew), Hudson Moyle (Echuca), Nathan Perrone (Romsey), Ryan Thomson (Marcellin Old Collegians), Ali Khalil (Romsey), Logan Naumovski (Uhs-Vu), Con Grampsas (Hillside), Harrison Minett (Point Cook Centrals), Thomas Gleeson (Avondale Heights), Marcello Mazzarolli (Avondale Heights), Jackson Griffiths (Kyabram), Marcus Khoo (Kyabram).
Out: Josh Mirabello (Braybrook), Jacob Hutchinson (Taylors Lakes), Jack Cackett (St Pauls McKinnon), Harrison Minett (Newport), Matthew Dennis (Pascoe Vale), Nicholas Mitsos (Airport West), Ben Frendo (Airport West), Jamie Mastrakoulis (Keilor), Stefan Mastrakoulis (Keilor), Marcus Khoo (Southport), Tom Silvagni (Heidelberg), Kobe Watson (Hastings), Tayne Van Buuren (Merrifield), Jack Vella (Burnside Heights), Malindu Wijesuriya (Burnside Heights), Xavier Nesci (Keilor Park), Nicholas Nesci (Keilor Park), Lachlan Papley (St Bernards), Evan Diaz (Albion), Damien Petrone (Taylors Lakes), Jack Evans (West Preston-Lakeside), Aojak Mayen (Newport), James McNaughton (Hillside), Tristan Mancuso (Bundoora), Marc Coscarella (Bundoora), Michael Dalrymple (Oak Park), Carlo Riccardi, Malik Elfakahani, Cooper Bond, Frank Campisi, Ben Caluzzi (all Caroline Springs), Timothy Quick (Deer Park), Lachlan Smart (Deer Park), Robbie Mccomb (Port Melbourne Colts), Peter Barbopoulos (Boort), Josh Mascara (Reservoir), Andrew Tashevski-Beckwith (Reservoir), Joseph Palazzolo (Reservoir), Nicholas Kerr (St Bernards), Gabriel Loukomitis (St Bernards), Dion Hill (Deer Park), Zen Christofi (Deer Park), Leon Bektash (St Albans), Michael Commisso (St Bernards), Bruno Laguda (Parkside).
EDFL MEDIA SAYS
It'll be a new look East Keilor in every sense in 2025. Justin Sherman returns to the EDFL to take charge of the Cougars who have had to have a complete overhaul of their playing list. East Keilor will enter the season as the relegation favourite and will need its new recruits to shine in order to lift the club out of that battle in a deep, competitive Premier Division.
Ladder Prediction: Relegation.
