“OPPORTUNITY, experience, enjoyment”- the pinnacle of EDFL Interleague success.
These are the messages that the Interleague coaching panel have enforced in the lead-up to the clash against the formidable Eastern Football League at Bayswater Oval next Saturday.
Director of Coaching, Jeff Gieschen has recruited the finest coaches he could find as he strives to “showcase the EDFL as a really top league - not just throughout Victoria, but also Australia”.
This year’s Interleague coaching panel is one filled with vast experience, headlined by Brodie Holland, a man best known for his 119 games at Collingwood, as well as his 36 appearances at Fremantle.
He’s brought with him the expertise of fitness coach David Buttifant, who has worked closely with a number of AFL clubs including Carlton, Collingwood and North Melbourne.
“He’s looking after all our warm-ups, all our warm-downs and he’s looking after player care,” Gieschen said of Buttifant.
“By having someone like David looking after that area, the players are in good hands.”
In addition to the AFL experience that these coaches provide, Gieschen has also ensured that EDFL experience is present in the coaching ranks.
Playing Senior Coach at Maribyrnong Park, Robbie Castello, will take care of the back line to ensure that the EDFL’s defenders can combat the EFL’s dangerous forward line.
“He has a lot of experience, not just in coaching, but in back line play,” Gieschen said.
The Interleague experience is not just one that presents a wonderful opportunity for the players, but it also rewards coaches, staff and anyone who is involved in the program.
“Club football is obviously the pinnacle that most people play, but to represent your league is above and beyond that,” Gieschen said.
“Players and people that represent our league should be very proud of the fact that it is a step above.”
This notion is being exemplified by the players, as they’ve come to training with a professional mindset and are determined to secure what would be one of the most memorable victories in EDFL Interleague history.
The EFL is currently rated third in the WorkSafe AFL Victoria Community Championships rankings, just one spot ahead of the EDFL.
The win could take either side to second on the tally, meaning that they would have the privilege of potentially playing a curtain-raiser before an AFL match next year.
Gieschen admits that it will be a massive challenge to defeat the EFL, due to their large success in the Work Safe AFL Victoria Community Championships over the years.
“To be successful against an organisation such as the EFL, we’ve got to do everything right,” Gieschen said.
“We’ve got to prepare thoroughly, we’ve got to come motivated, we’ve got to come prepared to put our heads over the football and we’ve got to come prepared to work very, very hard.
“If we don’t bring those things to the table against a league like the EFL, you’re up against it.”
The EDFL Interleague squad is making massive inroads to ensure that the match is competitive, entertaining and ultimately, successful.
Players, coaches and everyone involved in the 2017 Interleague program are honoured to be a part of the journey, and are determined to give community leagues around the state, and the nation for that matter, a comprehensive insight into the incredible work that the EDFL does to ensure that they get the best out of their players and coaches.
The game commences 2:15pm at Bayswater Oval on Saturday May 13th with the U19s side to play in the curtain-raiser.
