The 2024 season is just around the corner so EDFL Media will be previewing each club heading into Round One. Next, we chat to new East Sunbury coach Travis Bishop who provides some insights on their 2024 campaign.
2023: 8th (0W, 16L, 39.54%)
Coach: Travis Bishop (first season replacing Aaron Kite)
PRE-SEASON FOCUS
"The biggest focus this preseason has been around fitness, skills, and game-specific scenarios creating a better understanding of structures early in the season.
We wanted to work on the players' attitudes - the guys that are on the track have a huge hunger for success. The boys are running between seven and nine kilometres each session and are really clicking as a group!"
LIST SHAPE
"We have recruited heavily through the midfield and hunted some pretty classy backline players as last season we seemed to turn the ball over a fair bit. Hopefully the new intakes can steady us up and we can look at a more controlled style of gameplay.
"Our depth has always been our achilles heel so we have focused on an all-inclusive style of training making sure all players are building up skills and fitness alongside our new game structures. We don’t have ones and twos players, we are all senior players up for selection based on effort and commitment."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
"We have recruited a handful of new players with lots of experience creating a good buzz down here at East Sunbury, but once again we are focused on building a more consistent team pushing our grassroot players up to the next level - therefore creating a more competitive side."
2024 OUTLOOK
"Our goals are to grow and develop the playing group to become a successful club this year and in the future. We want success but we understand it doesn’t happen overnight, so we are building the foundations now and we are heading in the right direction."
ON THE RECORD WITH TRAVIS BISHOP
You’ve been involved with the club for a number of years and seen some success in that time, what do you think it’ll take for the club to get back to those heights?
I’ve been with the club for many years now and I’ve witnessed 200 point losses in the early stages of the club to a one-point loss to Roxburgh Park in the grand final.
I believe we are already on track for our club to get back to those heights. Our players are hungry for success and last year really hurt a few of the boys not getting a win on the board, but this is all part of the journey to success.
What’s the environment around the club like and how does it compare to pre-pandemic?
The environment at the club is exciting and the players are eager to start the season. On training nights, the club is humming with two ovals full of juniors, our new senior women’s team led by Lisa Borg, and of course our senior men’s as well!
It’s hard to believe that we had no senior teams on the field in 2022 - the club is looking very strong.
Shot after the siren to win, who do you want kicking it?
Mitch Church
Biggest pest at the club?
Stevie Edwards (after a few)
Who might be viewed as the coach's pet?
Liam Watson
One opposition player you’d love on your side?
Aaron Aquilina (Coburg Districts), ex-East Sunbury captain and just a top bloke.
Flag tip outside of East Sunbury?
Taylors Lakes
LODGED TRANSFERS
In: Ryan Fletcher (Swinburne University), David Morrice (Rupertswood), Brandon Yankovski (Burnside Heights), Brandon Brancatisano (Rupertswood), Sean Egan (Diggers Rest), Jack Barnes (Essendon Doutta Stars), Zac Watkins (Woodend-Hesket), Claudio Campos (Burnside Heights), Dayne Tannenberg (Westmeadows), Jai Pettman (Sunbury Kangaroos), Jack Bruce (Hillside), Jesse Smillie (Sunbury Kangaroos), Jacob Cannon (Sunbury Lions) & Daniel Yankovski (Keilor).
Out: Tim Stephens (Williamstown Superules), Brad Kite (Glenroy), Aaron Kite (Glenroy), Jaymee Guy (Lara) & Joshua Gray (Lara).
EDFL MEDIA SAYS
New coach Travis Bishop is well aware that Rome wasn't built in a day and I don't think anyone is expecting fireworks from East Sunbury in 2024. Division Two will again look like a strong, deep competition which will make a steep rise for the Thunder difficult, but we do expect them to taste some success on field to ensure gradual improvement for the club.
Ladder Prediction: Bottom two.
2024 FIXTURE
