The 2025 season is just around the corner so EDFL Media will be previewing each club heading into Round One. Next, we chat to Tullamarine coach Zack Carey who provides some insights on their 2025 campaign.
2024: 7th (5W, 11L, 88.76%)
Coach: Zack Carey
PRE-SEASON FOCUS
"Obviously with a new coaching group and a number of new players coming into the club it has been about building the connection between everyone, learning a new game plan, and building a professional and enjoyable environment."
LIST SHAPE
"Our focus with recruiting was to bring in guys who were great people, not just good footballers and we have definitely achieved that.
"Our existing Tulla players have really embraced the changes at the club and are really looking forward to the new era at Tullamarine.
"All in all, the boys have all come together well and are really excited about the year ahead."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
"I'm really excited about the continued development of some of our younger guys who have had great pre-seasons including Austin Warden and Sal Melilli.
"I think some of our Under 18s have real potential and will get opportunities throughout the season.
"Some of our existing Tulla leaders have really impressed me. Among these have been Fletcher Smith with his leadership, our captain Daniel Devine, and Matthew Jones.
"A number of our recruits I think can have a major impact on the competition."
2025 OUTLOOK
"Like everyone, we want to be playing finals footy come seasons end.
"But our main focus, which I think will help us reach that, is to be a well-respected side that is really hard to play against. We also want to continue to help develop our junior program to grow from within and be an enjoyable place to be around."
ON THE RECORD WITH ZACK CAREY
Who is the unsung hero at the club?
The entire committee as they have had a really hard last three years with no social rooms. They have done a great job to keep the club going."
MVP of the gym?
Daniel Pearson, the man's a beast (Vista won't like this answer!).
Player most likely to become a coach one day?
Nick or Fintan Brazil. Unsure which one as I can't tell them apart!
Who has the quickest set of wheels?
Joquin Bugeja.
Favourite piece of coaching wisdom?
We can never be too high or too low about how things are going.
Who’s one opposition player you’d love on your side?
Tom Baravi (West Coburg).
What match are you most looking forward to in 2025 and why?
Round 1 as I can't wait to get into it.
Flag tip outside of Tullamarine?
Oak Park.
LODGED TRANSFERS
In: Michael Schembri (Deer Park), Matt Laskowski (Glenroy), Jacob Jeffery-Wright (St Marys), Anthony Liberatore (Thomastown), Nicholas Brazil (Benalla), Ivan Pavlovic (Airport West), Samuel McCaskill (Melton), Lachlan Currie (Strathmore), Declan Harvey (Strathmore), Shaun Mckernan (Strathmore), Jamie Trifonos (Deer Park), Nicholas Owens (Strathmore), Anthony Zanti (St Albans), Alexi Mamalos (Craigieburn), Adam Figliola (Pascoe Vale), Fintan Brazil (Benalla), Ben Weightman (Taylors Lakes), Declan Edwards (Williamstown CYMS).
Out: Jake Long (Anakie), Jacob Dyer (Morwell East), Andrew Daly (Braybrook), Kade Bellingham (Albanvale), Andrew Hicks (Western Whalers AFL Masters), Tom Filipovic (Lancefield), Rhys Clarke (Seymour), Sam Atkinson (Airport West), Dillon Kane (Kambalda), Jarrod Anderson (Western Rams), Jack Thomson (Lancefield), Adam Bartrop (Rupertswood), Joel Flanigan (Rupertswood), Shaun Colasante (Sunshine Heights), Phil Smith (Elmore), Joey Greto (Sunshine Heights), tom jackson (Lancefield), Dominic Micallef (Craigieburn), Joel Grech (Western Rams), David Connell, Michael Sikora, Kirk Lang, Jayden Hind, Lachlan Hind, Jarrod Stephens (all Talbot), Matthew O'Dwyer (Elmore), Stephen McCallum (Laurimar) Luke Rowland (Parkside).
EDFL MEDIA SAYS
It's a new era for Tullamarine with their social rooms finally available for use, as new coach Zack Carey takes over from Dave Connell with a suite of new players. It wasn't the season Tulla wanted in 2024 as they enter 2025 looking to rejoin the finals action. There's been a large list turnover of senior players with talent in and out, so it's hard to get a read on the Dees. You'd expect them to be competitive and give themselves a chance of playing for a finals spot, but there will be plenty of competition in a deep division.
Ladder Prediction: In the logjam outside of finals.
