The 2025 season is just around the corner so EDFL Media will be previewing each club heading into Round One. Next, we chat to Essendon Doutta Stars coach Marie Napoli who provides some insights on their 2025 campaign.
Coach: Marie Napoli
PRE-SEASON FOCUS
"Our focus this pre-season has been on ball movement and timing. We found ourselves out of position a bit last season which resulted in lost opportunities and turnovers.
"As always, we are making sure we get our running in!"
PLAYERS TO WATCH
"Its always exciting starting a new season with new faces, familiar faces, and the older ones turning up again!
"We have some wonderful juniors who are now old enough for the senior team and I cannot wait to see how they gel with the established side. Steph Mitchell is an absolute gun, and she has such a smart brain for a young player and she will add plenty of depth to our side this season. Jayla Rutley is another young player that is now a senior, and has wonderful skills and running power that will only enhance our midfield line. Zoe Taylor is another who is now too old for 18s and is a much welcomed addition to the senior team. She has worked on her fitness and foot skills and I am excited to see how she goes up against the older, stronger bodies this season.
"There are so many names I could list but I don’t want to give too much away!"
2025 OUTLOOK
"Our main goal this year is to achieve our best. How our best stacks up against the rest is yet to be determined, but as long as we can honestly say we improved and played our best then I’ll be satisfied with that.
"Premier Division is only getting better each season, so you have to be a well-balanced, skilled, determined, and resilient side to be competitive. I believe we are good enough to make finals, and that is my personal goal as coach for this season."
ON THE RECORD WITH MARIE NAPOLI
Who is the unsung hero at your club?
Ada Pizzinga.
Player most likely to become a coach one day?
Casee Gazelle.
Biggest pest at the club?
Jas Christo (and she hasn’t even shown up yet).
Who has the quickest set of wheels?
Steph Mitchell.
Favourite piece of coaching wisdom?
- Hard work beats talent, when talent doesn’t work hard.
- A coach is someone who sees beyond your limits, and guides you to greatness.
Flag tip outside of Essendon Doutta Stars?
I thought they would take it out last season, so I’ll tip Abers again!
LODGED TRANSFERS
In: Annie Evans (Airport West), Zoe Taylor (Oak Park), Ruby Aitken (Cairns City Lions), Erin Heane (Airport West).
Out: Amelia Marino (Strathmore), Yasmin Welsford (Strathmore), Jessie Hulett (Greensborough), Hayley Gunn (St Josephs), Molly Libardi (Lancefield), Kirstie Martin (Coburg Districts), Katherine Jansen (Coburg Districts).
EDFL MEDIA SAYS
It was a successful first season back in Premier Division following promotion for Essendon Doutta Stars, finishing fourth to play finals. Talent has gone in and out of the club, but it seems coach Marie Napoli is excited about senior players borne out of the junior program at Douttas. Sides that finished beneath them have improved on paper and if Oak Park, Aberfeldie, and Hillside perform as expected, Douttas will again be fighting a few teams for that last spot in finals.
