TWO-TIME Maribyrnong Park premiership coach Brodie Holland has signed on as the EDFL’s new Senior Interleague Coach ahead of the upcoming showdown with the Eastern Football League in May.
The former Magpie and Docker will be guided by former Richmond coach Geoff Gieschen, who returns to the EDFL Interleague Program for his third year as Director of Coaching.
“I’m really excited to be part of this,” Holland told essendondfl.com.au.
“It’s fantastic to be involved with the EDFL like this again.”
Holland helped deliver historic back-to-back A-Grade flags for Maribyrnong Park in 2009-10 and continued on as the Lions' playing coach until the end of 2014.
“I know a fair few of the coaches and probably played against a lot of the players that are still running around the EDFL today,” he said.
“Although I’ve taken a step back in the last couple of years I know the competition really well, so it should be easy enough to get a hold on selection and the top players we need for the game.”
The May 13 clash with the Eastern Football League (venue TBC) looms as one of the most intriguing interleague battles of recent memory, with a top-two ranking on the line for both leagues.
Holland knows the stakes are high.
“This game has a bit of an added incentive,” he said.
“Back when I was coaching at Maribyrnong Park, the guys in the Eastern Football League thought they were better than us and probably vice-versa, so there are plenty of bragging rights on the line in that respect.
“As players, coaches and administrators we’re certainly very proud to be part of the EDFL, so it’d be nice to claim those bragging rights and we’re ready to get to work on this year’s program.”
Gieschen, who joined the EDFL Interleague Program in 2015 alongside Keilor mastermind Mick McGuane, is looking forward to working alongside Holland.
“We’re a proud league and I think this gives the EDFL an opportunity to take our standing to another level,” Gieschen said.
“I think it’s really exciting for Brodie to be on-board. He’s proven himself as an outstanding coach in an outstanding competition, he knows the EDFL landscape and from that point of view, he brings great quality to the program.”
The EDFL has won its last two senior interleague games against the Southern Football League and the Goulburn Valley Football League respectively.
