EDFL: Inside Daniel Harris’ first month in charge of Pascoe Vale

Pascoe Vale has won three games since Daniel Harris took on the senior coaching role. He opens up on the key challenges and the changes he has made.

Daniel Guccione of Pascoe Vale. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Daniel Harris has now been the senior coach of Pascoe Vale for a month and his messaging isn’t changing.

“I’ve told ‘let’s have some fun and go out there and enjoy your footy’,” he said.

The Panthers have now won three of their last four EDFL Premier Division matches to sit sixth on the ladder with a sniff of finals footy, although they sit two games back of Deer Park.

Harris replaced Leigh Tudor, who moved on due to work commitments, and has helped sparked new life into Pacco’s season.

They recorded their best win of the year on Saturday after overcoming premiership contender Strathmore by 14 points.

“People might not realise how young of a group we’ve got and the amount of list turnover from last year,” Harris said.

“When I took over, I saw it as an opportunity to reset with the game. I put an emphasis on the players getting to know each other, not on the field but off it just as importantly.

“I asked them all their why. Why do they play footy and now it’s something their teammates know as well. It’s so important to value each other and value your spot in the side.

“You have to know what your teammates expect from you.

“We’re trying to get the group closer.”

Wins against Airport West and East Keilor came before a slip up against Essendon Doutta Stars where Harris said his side learnt from their mistakes.

“We haven’t tried to change too much structurally,” he said.

“If I did, then that’s three coaches in three years and it’s a lot of changes. We’ve got a lot of young guys who are learning about senior footy with some older guys who are hoping they can be fast tracked so we can be right up towards the top of the ladder.

“You can see the talent is there, they just need to be taught.”

Pascoe Vale now turns its attention to a trip to Greenvale as it aims to keep touch with the finals race.

“The goal was to win three of four games,” Harris said.

“The competition is so even at the moment, you can’t look too far ahead.”