EDFL 2018: Maribyrnong Park coach Robbie Castello set to be available for the remainder of the Premier Division season

Maribyrnong Park is sitting on top of the Essendon District Football League Premier Division ladder, but its flag hopes have been given a massive boost

MARIBYRNONG Park playing coach Robbie Castello is set to be available for the remainder of the season in a major boost to the Essendon District Football League Premier Division club’s flag hopes.

The small forward and former Werribee VFL skipper has made only three appearances in 2018 and last took the field against Aberfeldie on June 2.

WHY IS AN AFL ROOKIE PLAYING LOCAL FOOTY?

VFL 2018: THE DRAFT PROSPECTS YOUR CLUB NEEDS TO KNOW

COUNTRY FOOTBALLER’S INSANE STATISTICS

Castello remains a key contributor for the ladder-leader and kicked three goals against Keilor in May.

Last year he booted 28 majors from 17 games as the Lions progressed to the preliminary final.

“I’ve had some commitments outside of footy that have kept me away,” Castello said.

“I should be right for the rest of the year now, which will be good.”

Maribyrnong Park Coach Robbie Castello. Picture: Andrew Tauber

Castello is keen to continue as coach for a fifth season in 2019, which would appear a formality given Maribyrnong Park is sitting a game clear in top position with a 9-2 record.

“Just working with the football club on a few things, but hopefully I’ll be there next year,” he said.

“We’ve got a really good group and hopefully we can keep the group together because we’re still quite young, which is the exciting thing for the footy club.

“Hopefully the players keep responding well and we can keep moving forward.”

The Lions won their third consecutive match on Saturday, hammering lowly Avondale Heights by 84 points.

Seven unanswered goals in the opening term laid the platform for their thumping 20.21 (141) to 9.3 (57) victory.

Maribyrnong Park boasted five multiple goalkickers, with Nick Prowse booting five, James Breust and John McKenzie three apiece and George Abboud and Will Martinello two each.

Defender Jock Cornell was best afield, while Marcus White and Scott Clarke also shone.

“In the last few weeks we’ve put a big emphasis on our starts, and we’ve improved each week,” Castello said.

“I thought, in pretty tricky conditions, we got off to a really good start.

“Defensively, we were really strong and our ball use going into our forward line was really good.”

Castello said he did not enter the fixture against the eighth-placed Heights eyeing a percentage-boosting win.

“You never take Avondale lightly,” he said.

“You look at their list, and they’ve got some really good players.

“To see them only have two wins for the year has still got me shocked.”

Maribyrnong Park will tackle West Coburg at Shore Reserve this weekend.