EDFL 2018: East Keilor signs 20 new players for the 2019 Division 1 season
EAST Keilor has wasted no time strengthening its list for a tilt at the ultimate prize in Essendon District Football League Division 1 next season after unveiling a bevy of signings.
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EAST Keilor has wasted no time strengthening its list for a tilt at the ultimate prize in Essendon District Football League Division 1 next season after unveiling a bevy of signings.
Bundoora premiership trio Josh Grabowski, Nick Grabowski and Joseph Palazzolo have crossed to Overland Reserve in a significant shot in the arm for the Cougars, who finished sixth this year.
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Lachlan Langwell (Sunshine), Jackson Barrett (Aberfeldie), Tyson Nunn (Balranald), Joel O’Donnell and Gary Cadman (both Deer Park) have also put pen to paper with the club.
East Keilor has secured 20 new players for 2019 and confirmed there are more to come.
New coach Pat Christofi waved away any potential for player points issues stemming from the recruiting spree.
“Ninety per cent of our list are one-pointers, so we’ve got plenty of room there. We’ve got no stress whatsoever,” Christofi said.
“I did recruit to the points system, so I was very wary of what we’re bringing in.
“(We’ve targeted) premier comp players that could take us to the next step.
“We looked at what we needed, strengthening up both lists and having a crack.”
Josh Grabowski has been appointed as a playing assistant coach and will bolster the forward line alongside his brother Nick, while Palazzolo will be a key performer in midfield.
The three were members of Bundoora’s 2017 premiership side in the Northern league.
“They’ve been around a good culture, a winning culture and bring a lot of experience in,” Christofi said.
Former coach Ash Arrowsmith headlines the Cougars’ re-signings, joining Dion Hill, Vincent Madaffari, Jordan Madden, James Philpot, Michael Galcin, Shaun Ujcich, Lachlan Pettigrove, Ben Nichol and Vincent Schiavello.
Arrowsmith was named on the halfback flank in the Division 1 Team of the Year and is one of the competition’s elite players.
“He was another key factor to why I was excited about taking the gig,” Christofi said of Arrowsmith.
“I know Ash and he’s going to be valuable to the team and what we’re trying to achieve.”
Christofi has spent the past two seasons as a senior assistant under Marc Bullen at Western Region league powerhouse Deer Park while also coaching the Lions reserves.
Deer Park has won six consecutive senior flags and Christofi said his time at the club had taught him “how to win premierships”.
The former professional kickboxer is also not shying away from setting high expectations for 2019.
“We’re not there to make up numbers; we’re not there to compete; we’re there to win it,” Christofi said.
“We’ll put that out there because that’s what we’re trying to achieve. That’s the bottom line.”
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