EDFL 2018: Roxburgh Park’s recruits key to climb up Division 2 ladder

Roxburgh Park missed finals in 2017 after three consecutive top-four finishes. On Saturday, the Magpies will take on Northern Saints in the Division 2 major semi-final.

Roxburgh Park skipper Harley Short looks to gather the footy. Picture: Mark Dadswell

FIRST-YEAR Roxburgh Park coach Michael Farrelly has cited an injection of vital experience over summer as a key factor in the Essendon District Football League club’s climb up the ladder this season.

After three consecutive finals appearances and two grand finals, the Magpies finished sixth in Division 2 with seven wins in 2017.

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While the off-season acquisitions were headlined by returning gun forward Luke Capuano, the likes of Ferras Merhi, Osama Saad and John Colaidis — who were all members of Hadfield’s 2015 premiership team — have made significant contributions on and off the ground.

“I think the club as a whole needed to make some changes — cultural changes and structural changes,” Farrelly said.

“But the experience they’ve got in with ‘Fez’ and Saad and ‘JC’, they just provide that level head and that experience, so the players are not always hearing my voice.

“There’s always other voices out there.

“That’s definitely helped bring the group up another level.”

Michael Farrelly is in his first season in charge at Roxburgh Park. Picture: Hamish Blair

The Magpies will start their finals campaign on Saturday, when they tackle Northern Saints in the major semi-final.

They finished the home-and-away rounds in second spot with a 12-6 record, securing the vital double chance.

Moonee Valley and East Sunbury will lock horns in the elimination final.

Farrelly, who arrived at Roxburgh Park from Northern league club Hurstbridge, said the prospect of the double chance was not mentioned until the final round of the regular season, with his team handing Moonee Valley a 61-point flogging.

“Everyone wants that double chance,” he said.

“It’s a real credit to the guys that they have put themselves in that position.”

But while there have been several positives this year, the Magpies are looking long-term.

“We’re still a long way off. It was never come in first year as a coach and win flags,” Farrelly said.

“It was always a two or three-year plan to slowly change that culture, so we all know what preparation, rehabilitation and commitment and all that sort of stuff is required in order to win a flag.

“If we can (claim the premiership) the first year, then that would be amazing.

“But, the old cliche, it’s one week at a time for us.”