With the 2023 season just around the corner, EDFL Media will be previewing each club heading into Round One. Next, we chat to Rupertswood coach Arron Bray who provides some insights on their 2023 campaign.
2022: 5th (10W, 8L, 105.99%)
Coach: Arron Bray (third season)
PRE-SEASON FOCUS
"Last year we were a pretty good attacking side, it was more when we lost the ball in and how we transitioned defensively is something we've worked on this pre-season. We've strengthened our goal kicking having Dean (Galea) sign with the footy club which comes with trying to get some experience through the door with this younger group that I've got."
LIST SHAPE
"We're pretty comfortable where we're at, if a couple more walk through the door you never knock them back, but we've had a big focus on improving the kids that we've got down there. We'd like to give them an opportunity coming out of the 18s and give them a go at senior level as soon as we can for their development and the club's development going forward. Since I've been here, we've never gone and recruited massive numbers to try and fly up the ladder, it's been a slow burn and we've done that again this year."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
"Young Aaron West has really taken his game to a new level, his physique's changed a lot, he's in a really good physical condition. The two Johnson twins (Logan and Mitchell) played a few games for us last season when they were released from Cannons duties, they're two good kids. Obviously we're looking at what Dean can bring to the table as well in regards to his leadership and obviously his goal kicking. He's played under some pretty good coaches so whatever Dean can bring is only going to be a bonus to our younger fellas off field, but his on-field leadership and direction will be awesome. He's naturally going to kick goals anyway!"
2023 OUTLOOK
"In my first year it obviously got cut short with COVID and we finished second last, last year we missed out on playing finals by the last game of the season. So this year, we haven't even spoken about winning a premiership, we've just spoken about getting ourselves into a position to play finals. Once you're in that position, then it sort of breaks into another season, that's how I look at it anyway. So we want to play finals, that's our goal at this stage!"
LODGED TRANSFERS
In: Jake Hobden (East Sunbury), Lachlan Shore (Gisborne), Dean Galea (Keilor), Matthew McDonald (Gisborne) & Clayton Bonello (Keilor).
Out: Patrick Farrelly (Western Rams), Bryce Caldone (Sunbury), Julian Belfrage (South Yarra), Joel Scherer (East Sunbury), Jordan Davis (East Sunbury), Darby Davis (East Sunbury), Aiden Nemeth (East Sunbury) & Jordan Weightman (East Sunbury).
EDFL MEDIA SAYS
It was a heart-breaking finish to 2022 for Rupo who needed a win and a percentage boost to knock Westmeadows out of the four before losing by just three points to eventual grand finalist West Coburg. After taking a dramatic leap from 2021, they'll be looking to take the next step again to play finals. Recruiting EDFL stalwart Dean Galea is a major tick in their list development to assist for the reasons Bray mentioned, as they'll be hoping he can add to the 67 goals Zak Saad and Jacob Chahine contributed last season. Saad and Jackson Cardillo both had strong seasons and made the Rookie Me Division One Team of the Year, and build a pretty sturdy engine room with Brock Landt. Three of their first four games will be played away from Salesian College, but their first game against a 2022 finalist won't come until Round 9 when they host Tullamarine for the EDFL Match of the Day broadcast.
2023 FIXTURE
