EDFL 2018: Pascoe Vale appoints Digby Morrell as coach for two years

Experienced mentor Digby Morrell discusses why he took on the top job at Essendon District Football League club Pascoe Vale.

Digby Morrell calls the shots during his time at Pascoe Vale. Picture: Kylie Else

DIGBY Morrell’s hunger for success was a key reason behind his decision to take on the top job at Essendon District Football League club Pascoe Vale.

The experienced mentor is adamant the Panthers are capable of hoisting the silverware in Premier Division next season after missing finals the past two years.

Pascoe Vale finished fifth with a 12-6 record, one game outside the top four.

The Panthers’ list is not short on talent and Morrell declared they were in a “quality position”.

Morrell has put pen to paper on a two-year deal and replaces Kyle Hardingham at the helm, while Adam Contessa will not continue as director of coaching.

“They’ve put together a great list,” Morrell said.

“I think Adam and Kyle have done a great job developing that list and bringing it together.

“It’s a great opportunity to come in and add my flavour and touches to that list and hopefully push for a premiership in 2019.

“They are disappointed and expected more out of the year and I think that’s probably prompted the change in coach.

“The two times we (West Coburg) played them this year, we really took it up to them, but they had the quality to respond and absorb that pressure and eventually break us.

“When I look at how they’ve performed against the top-five sides, and that’s including Maribyrnong Park, they’re only 0.6 goals down on the top five. They really competed and beat most of them apart from Keilor.”

Morrell has led West Coburg, which will compete in Division 1 next year, for the past five campaigns and also steered Strathmore for five seasons.

The former Carlton and North Melbourne player coached the Mores to the 2011 Premier Division flag and West Coburg to the 2014 Division 1 premiership.

Digby Morrell (left) led Strathmore to the 2011 Premier Division flag.

The Burgers won just 16 games in a four-year stint in the top flight, with Morrell opting to seek a fresh challenge.

“I probably had five or six things on my wish list,” Morrell said.

“I left West Coburg on great terms, but one of the key terms was I wanted to win and I wanted to win a premiership.

“They (Pascoe Vale) obviously had a frustrating and disappointing year this year, but that’s a great driver to improve and to grow as a club. We’re really looking forward to doing that in 2019.”

Ex-AFL players Matthew Watson and Lachie Hansen joined the Panthers last off-season, while Patrick Veszpremi also returned to Raeburn Reserve.

Matthew Watson had a superb season for Pascoe Vale. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Sam Caruso Jarryd Graham, Eamonn Ogden and Shayne Allen were other significant acquisitions.

While Pascoe Vale’s top-line talent is not in question, its depth requires attention.

“I think we’ve identified a number of different areas, and bringing back a lot of Pascoe Vale juniors is one and promoting a pathway for their under-19 kids is another (so) they can see there’s an opportunity to play senior football at Pascoe Vale,” Morrell said.

“That’s a really important element of growing a club long-term.

“Strathmore this year really went back to playing a lot of young kids and I think Greenvale are the same.

“That’s something that Pascoe Vale needs to continue to work on. It’s something that myself and the committee have both identified as a really key element for the club to go forward long-term, and long-term success too.”