The 2025 season is just around the corner so EDFL Media will be previewing each club heading into Round One. Next, we chat to Rupertswood coach Brad Fox who provides some insights on their 2025 campaign.
2024: 10th, Division One, (4W, 12L, 62.56%)
Coach: Brad Fox
PRE-SEASON FOCUS
"In this off-season we significantly changed our training structures to separately address fundamentals, craft, system, and strength and conditioning. With the support of AFL-experienced Loris Bertolacci, we have been able to achieve significant fitness improvements especially in our younger players who have given an incredible commitment to their training.
"Ball use and support around the contest have been significant areas of improvement for us, as well as a focus on defensive structures and offensive transitions."
LIST SHAPE
"There are 38 players with senior experience giving our list more depth in 2025. We have looked to strengthen each line through selective recruiting, but also through the further development of our home-grown talent.
"From an athletic profile perspective, you can expect to see a faster and more powerful side in 2025."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
"Joel Flanigan and Angus Price returning to the club and Adam Bartrop joining us from Tullamarine adds to our experience and on-field leadership. Owen Sloan joins us an additional big man and will help our hard-working captain Daniel Kavanagh with ruck duties, as well as being able to play as a key forward.
"We also look forward to getting a full season from Logan Johnson, Tom Markey, and Cam McRorie who missed most or all of last footy season, and increased run and midfield kicking ability from Andrew Brennan, and the returning Lachie Fish and Bailey Verrall.
"Some of the young-guns that had break-out seasons in 2024 like Aaron West at fullback and Ethan Fitzpatrick as a leaping intercept defender have continued to develop."
CLUB INITIATIVES & ACTIVITIES
"We have three practice matches and a weekend camp, and also our Rupo Golf Day. In addition, we have the official opening and handover of our new clubrooms at the end of the month to combine with a season launch.
"As our player retention has been almost 100 per cent, the connection we built last year has carried forward into 2025 and the atmosphere feels very inclusive, welcoming, yet driven. This group is ambitious. They want success together and they are embracing doing the work to earn that success.
"We have also relaunched Rupo Netball successfully with senior and junior teams, and the FIDA football team are an important part of our overall club. Many teams, one club!"
2025 OUTLOOK
"This year is all about growth at the individual, team, and club levels. We want our reserves team winning games and making finals, and we want our seniors playing deep into finals, but beyond that we continue to welcome new people and returning people to Rupo.
"We want our junior players coming into the senior rooms on match day, and our senior players to attend and help out at junior training. Studies keep telling us that people, despite all the social media at their fingertips, have never been lonelier. Well, success at Rupo is creating a place where people want to be, where they are welcomed, respected and included be that as a player, a supporter, a sponsor, or as a visitor."
ON THE RECORD WITH BRAD FOX
Who is the unsung hero at the club?
Assistant Reserves coach Terry Crotty. Does a power of work.
MVP of the gym?
Lots of nominations for this one, but it goes to James Fox @jimmygymin.
Player most likely to become a coach one day?
Logan Johnson.
Who has the quickest set of wheels?
James Fox by 1/100th of a second.
Who’s Mr. Reliable week in and week out?
Jackson Pranauskas (when he’s not travelling).
Favourite piece of coaching wisdom?
Shifting your mindset from “I have to do this”, to “I get to do this” increases optimism and resilience.
Who’s one opposition player you’d love on your side?
Ryan Capron (Westmeadows).
What match are you most looking forward to in 2025 and why?
ANZAC Day against East Sunbury. Acknowledging all those that have served to protect our way of life is an honour.
Flag tip outside of Rupertswood?
Westmeadows.
LODGED TRANSFERS
In: Ethan Davis (Riddell), Adam Bartrop (Tullamarine), Joel Flanigan (Tullamarine), Bailey Verrall (Riddell), Lachlan Nesbitt (Gisborne), Owen Sloan (Epping), Angus Price (Keilor Park), Lachlan Fish (Balranald).
Out: Jake Hobden (Torquay), Mitchell Boyd (Sunbury), Jason Roberts (Wynnum), Nicholas Roberts (Wynnum), Todd Podolczak (Riddell), Benjamin Borg (Riddell).
EDFL MEDIA SAYS
It was a fair shift from a preliminary final to relegation for Rupo, but this pre-season has certainly been a lot more stable for the club. Good retention and a mix of inclusions should see Rupo competing toward the back end of the season and back in the finals mix in their first foray in EDFL Division Two.
Ladder Prediction: Finals.
