Aberfeldie coach Adam Marcon opens

Aberfeldie coach Adam Marcon has opened up on the lessons his side has experienced since its grand final loss with the club’s new recruits already making an impact.

Aberfeldie had two options after its grand final defeat in 2022.

Panic and hit the reset button.

Or back in the group that went down in heartbreak in a Essendon District league Premier Division classic.

Abers coach Adam Marcon has elected to go with the latter and is confident his side can compete at the pointy end of the season once again.

“We’ve had the discussion about how proud we should be of our year last season,” he said.

“It’s never nice to lose grand finals, especially the way we did, but I think we’re going to learn a lot from that experience. It’s been a smooth pre-season for us, we had a camp at Mt Eliza and that allowed us to spend some time together which is always a key in footy.

“I don’t think we’ll be changing too much with how we play but we’ll definitely tinker with a few things to help us go to the next level.”

In a bid to maintain its status as one of the league’s contenders, Aberfeldie has welcomed a handful of impressive recruits throughout the off-season.

There has been arguably none bigger than former Essendon Doutta Stars gun Karl Brown who will add plenty of excitement to Abers’ front half.

“He’s the ultimate professional, having Karl as one of our new voices has been really beneficial and I think our younger guys are definitely going to learn a lot from him,” Marcon said.

“Jack Mapleson has had a really positive pre-season since coming across from North Heidelberg. Josh Kemp has been training with Coburg’s VFL side but he’s been getting around the group when he can and Ryan Martin is another former player who has come back and been really positive.

“And the young fellas have really been putting on the pressure on as they always do in pre-season. One thing Aberfeldie has always been proud of is how it’s able to bring juniors through to the senior side.”

Aberfeldie’s Daniel Thompson. Picture: Andy Brownbill

After finishing the 2022 home-and-away season on top of the ladder, Marcon is predicting another evenly contested season in the top tier.

“It’s always interesting to see who makes what moves during the off-season,” he said.

“I think six or seven teams will be right in the mix to play finals but anything is possible. Any side is capable of beating each other.

“I’m sure whatever happens it is going to be great for the competition.”

Aberfeldie will be on the road to Pascoe Vale in the opening game of the season on April 15.