EDFL 2021: Airport West has high expectations despite key losses
The Eagles have suffered some key departures since the end of the 2019 season, but there is reason for optimism.
Essendon
Don't miss out on the headlines from Essendon. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The exits of two premiership players and a star 2020 recruit have not tempered expectations at Airport West.
The Eagles have waved goodbye to Tyson Young (Greenvale) and Koolyn Briggs (Balwyn), who played key roles in their Essendon District Football League flag three years ago, while Dean Limbach has crossed to Division 1 rival Tullamarine without playing a game.
The second tier is expected to be a hotly-contested competition, with East Keilor, Tullamarine, West Coburg and Westmeadows rated the early contenders.
But Airport West football manager Julian Zoccali insisted his club was not looking to replenish for a premiership tilt in 2022 on the back of the departures as it looks to return to Premier Division.
“It’s a pretty exciting time for our club,” Zoccali said.
“Obviously we have had some guys leave and take up opportunities elsewhere, but we’ve got a really good group of young guys coming through and we think it’s going to be a bit of an unknown for most oppositions when they come up against us.
“You play to win, simple as that. We’re going to do that every single week, regardless of the opposition and regardless of previous results or anything like that.
“We’re hopefully going to put ourselves in the best position each week to beat whoever we’re playing against and we’ll see how that pans out over the 18 weeks.”
The trio of key losses come after George Nabbout, Damandeep Aujla, Anthony Daw, Chris Lawton, Jayden Ranno departed following the 2019 campaign.
Zak Saad has also requested a clearance which has been denied.
But the Eagles have made some key additions, headlined by former VFL-listed player Muhammad Saad.
The utility was set to take the field for Avondale Heights last year and is training with Northern Bullants in the hope of earning a second crack at state league level.
“He’s a gun,” Zoccali said.
“I really love what he does with his footy … what he brings to our footy club.
“He is training with the Bullants at the moment, so obviously we wish him all the best there, but when he’s not there he’ll be pretty hard to stop in our competition.”
Talented youngsters Ned Gentile (Essendon Doutta Stars) and Luca Muratore (Keilor) have returned to the club, while Vince Rizzo has arrived from North Footscray.
“We’re definitely still actively recruiting to get a couple of guys in key areas for club,” Zoccali said.
“But if that doesn’t eventuate, we are very comfortable with where we’re at for 2021.”
Trent Rogers, who last played for Airport West in 2015, has taken over as coach.
Rogers has ample experience in strength and conditioning and is building his squad’s fitness ahead of the opening round.
“Trent’s fantastic. He comes from a high-performance background, so the boys will be pretty fit and strong in that regard,” Zoccali said.
“He knows a lot of the guys currently as it is, some of the older heads, but he’s fitted in like a hand in a glove and he loves the place.
“He’s going to help us achieve our goals for 2021 and hopefully beyond.”
The Eagles will face Rupertswood away from home in Round 1 on April 10.
Every signing of the EDFL off-season
The EDFL off-season has only just started but some clubs have already well and truly started making moves for 2025. Keep up to date with every signing in our signing tracker.
Local footy rumour mill: The race for ex-AFL big man
An ex-AFL man mountain appears to be the most in-demand name in the game as the local footy trading season swings into overdrive. Here are all the latest whispers from around the leagues.