EDFL: New Deer Park coach Jamie Madigan on his plans for 2024

Major changes to the playing list, big name recruits and a new division are all part of Jamie Madigan’s challenge as the new Deer Park coach. He opens up on what lays ahead.

Deer Park is set to embark on the biggest challenge in club history.

The Lions will step up to the Essendon District Football League’s Premier Division for the first time in 2024.

And they’ll be led by a new coach with former senior assistant Jamie Madigan appointed as Heath Scotland’s replacement, signing on for the next two seasons.

The playing list is also likely to look different with several key departures already this off-season including premiership heroes Lachie Smart (East Keilor), Mark Nicholls (East Keilor), Nash Holmes (Montmorency), Tim Quick (East Keilor), Todd Elton (Murrumbeena) and Wade Lees (Murrumbeena).

But Madigan isn’t worried about the changing of the guard, insisting his side will still have plenty of quality.

“It’s time to really challenge ourselves in a really strong competition,” he said.

“I did a bit of work behind the scenes with our move to the EDFL and being in Premier Division is where we want to be. We’ve still got a lot of high quality footballers in our side.

“Guys like Levi Greenwood and Jack Dorgan will still be here and looking to take on the best teams. The big difference is going to be the speed of the game, it’s a really skilful competition.

Luke Goater will be a key next year. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“I watched a little bit of the level this year and it’s obviously going to be a step up.

“Our aim is to make finals.”

While key players may have departed the club, the Lions have already welcomed several handy recruits to start the off-season.

Jack Noonan has arrived from Williamstown VFL to bolster the club’s midfield stocks with Anthony Daw, the brother of former AFL ruckman Majak, also heading to John McLeod Oval.

Versatile key Jamieson House has also made the move across from Tassie where he was a star for Launceston in the state league.

Mutaz El Nour, who is Richmond VFL listed, has aligned to Deer Park for the 2024 season.

“We’re really happy with the guys we’ve brought in,” Madigan said.

“We think these guys are going to play similar sort of roles to those guys who we’ve lost to other clubs. Luke Goater and Jackson Barling, who both played VFL last year, are going to be with us permanently next year which is a massive boost.

Deer Park’s Jack Dorgan. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“Losing Elton and Smart means we’ve got to find some more goals and I’ve already spoken to the captain, Spiros (Amarantidis), about playing a deeper role because I think he has the potential to hit the scoreboard in a big way.

“Goater kicked six in the grand final, it could have been 10. Daw will probably play as a key forward as well.”

Madigan said he expected House to take up a key post in defence after the loss of Quick.

“He’ll be key with the likes of Kier Bol and Bailey Morrish who had super years in 2023,” he said.