EDFL 2019: Airport West enters Premier Division in better position

Coach Geoff Maddern has declared Airport West will return to the top flight a different club after qualifying for consecutive grand finals since a forgettable 2016.

Airport West celebrates last year’s Division 1 flag. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Coach Geoff Maddern has declared Airport West will return to the top flight a different club after qualifying for consecutive grand finals since a forgettable 2016.

The Eagles claimed last season’s EDFL Division 1 flag to secure promotion after finishing runners-up the previous year.

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Airport West endured a winless season in Premier Division three years ago, prompting a rebuild.

“The last time Airport West was in (Premier Division) it was a very different place,” Maddern said.

“Clearly the club was in a bit of turmoil, losing a lot of players over a couple of years.

“At that time, the club pretty much decided to play the young fellas, who have now formed the nucleus of the footy club.

“Good decisions made then have certainly helped us along the way.”

Maddern and Moonee Valley mentor Shanon Carroll shared the top job for the second half of 2017 before Maddern steered the club to the ultimate prize solo last year.

Airport West coach Geoff Maddern calls the shots. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Former Brisbane Lions-listed player Reuben William, a member of Footscray’s VFL squad, has joined the Eagles as an aligned player and can roam the midfield or use his skills off half-back.

Anthony Daw and Duom Dawam have arrived from Wyndhamvale and can fill roles as key position players or ruckmen. Damandeep Aujla, who kicked 18 goals from 17 games for Northern league Division 1 club Bundoora last season, has signed on, along with Greenvale’s Jayden Ranno.

Anthony Aloi (Hillside) and Curtis Schultz (Sunbury Kangaroos) have also returned to Airport West.

“We’re not exactly sure what to expect, other than we know each week will be a super challenge,” Maddern said.

“There’s a lot of really great footballers in the EDFL and we’re going to just try and match it with them.

“Probably this pre-season there have been a few little curve balls thrown in, with rule changes and other things to think of from a structural point of view.

“We’ve sort of been toying with different set-ups and just getting used to adhering to those new rules in our match simulations.”

In a sizeable blow, midfielder Luke Ryan has moved to Moonee Valley after playing a key role in the Eagles’ premiership, finishing equal third in the Hutchison Medal and earning seven mentions in the best from 18 games.

His brother, Robert, has also crossed to the Valley, while Ricky McVeigh has retired.

Jesse McVeigh, Tyson Young and Daniel Sinnott have been the standouts on the training track.

Maddern said he had not made major adjustments to his side’s game plan.

“We’ll probably be a bit taller this year,” he said.

“But we’ve relied pretty heavily on our speed and quick ball movement, so I don’t think that will change an awful lot.

“Positionally, there will be a few changes.

“I’d suggest we will be bolstering our backline from time to time with some different players.

“Obviously at Premier level you probably look a little bit more carefully at key match-ups and hopefully get some good results from players being able to adapt to their role and have a bit more of a defensive nature through the middle of the field.”

Airport West will open its campaign with an away clash against Essendon Doutta Stars on Saturday, April 6.