The 2025 season is just around the corner so EDFL Media will be previewing each club heading into Round One. Next, we chat to Oak Park coaches Lessey Hodgkinson and Nicolas Cook who provides some insights on their 2025 campaign.
Coaches: Lessey Hodgkinson and Nicolas Cook
PRE-SEASON FOCUS
"As always, we've been focusing on an Oak Park brand of football. We’ve focused on speed and strength, ensuring our new recruits have plenty of exposure and are gelling with our current group and ready to fire in time for Round 1.
"Having spent the final 40 minutes of the grand final with the football in our defensive 50, we’ve really utilised that high pressure situation to improve our attacking style of football, and focused on being able to break the stoppages open to attack."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
"We’ve been really impressed with Alyssa James. Alyssa debuted as a reserves fill-in last season and showed plenty of promise. Her pre-season has been one of the best we’ve ever seen and we’re excited to see her take on Premier Division this season.
"Britt Gray and Maddy Ford will be sure to set the competition alight when the chance comes. Sasha Nelson is a young gun from the Western Jets and is also an exciting young prospect to watch."
2025 OUTLOOK
"We want the three-peat, obviously."
ON THE RECORD WITH LESSEY HODGKINSON AND NICOLAS COOK
Who is the unsung hero at your club?
Ash Atkins.
Player most likely to become a coach one day?
Leah Spargo.
Biggest pest at the club?
Trilby Sheppard.
Favourite piece of coaching wisdom?
Process over outcome.
Flag tip outside of Oak Park?
Strathmore in Division One.
LODGED TRANSFERS
In: Sasha Nelson (Williamstown CYMS), Maddison Ford (Collegians), Brittney Gray (Old Yarra Cobras), India McNeill-Wren (Greenvale) Lauren McHenery (Wilston Grange), Emily Taylor (Sunbury Lions), Felicity Theodore (Hillside).
Out: Mia Briedis (Wilston Grange), Zoe Taylor (Essendon Doutta Stars), Chloe Caruana (Penrith Rams).
EDFL MEDIA SAYS
The Kangaroos again enter the season as the reigning premier and as the benchmark of the competition. After another strong recruiting drive, they are well-positioned to make it three flags in a row adding some top-end talent, but also improving their depth. Despite solid competition from Aberfeldie and Hillside, Oak Park will still be the hunted in 2025.
