EDFL: Nick Ash opens up on his first pre-season in charge of Strathmore

A second former AFL player will join an Essendon District league powerhouse as it looks to embark on a new chapter in 2024.

Trent Dumont is the headline recruit. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Another ex-AFL name looks set to join Strathmore for the 2024 season.

The Essendon District league powerhouse currently has a clearance in for former Essendon forward Shaun McKernan.

Last season, the 33-year-old played seven games for Bundoora in the Northern league booting 21 goals as the Bulls went down to Heidelberg in the grand final.

McKernan missed a large amount of the season due to injury.

He injured his hamstring injury in the Round 2 clash against North Heidelberg.

The clearance is currently listed as pending according to the league website.

If the move was ticked off it would be a return to the EDFL for McKernan after a league best-and-fairest with Tullamarine in 2022.

Shaun McKernan in action for Tullamarine.Photo: Hamish Blair

EARLIER

Strathmore is moving quietly in the background of the Essendon District league off-season.

Last year’s Premier Division runner-up hasn’t publicly posted any of its signings for the new year but they’re again building a list which should have them at the pointy end of the ladder.

There’s also been a change to the top job with Nick Ash appointed to replace Marty Allison.

Ash had previously been an assistant coach for three season after joining the club after a premiership with Rupertswood in 2019.

Ahead of the new season, Ash is excited about the potential of his group as the Mores prepare for a third coach in as many seasons.

“It’s been a pretty seamless transition,” he said.

“We managed to secure a lot of the list pre-Christmas and now it has been about working on our game plan, making slight changes to the way we played last year.”

Ex-North Melbourne and Port Adelaide utility Trent Dumont headlines the ins at Strathmore as the league powerhouse maintained its position of being able to attract big names.

2022 premiership players Nick Ingleton (Marcona) and Sam O’Loughlin (Carngham Linton) are the other confirmed ins alongside Cale Du Plessis from Point Cook Centrals in the Western Region league.

Xavier Allison (Wangaratta Rovers), Lachlan Johnson (Old Scotch), Jack Condon (Parkside) and Tom Condon (Parkside) are among those to have requested moves away from Lebanon Reserve since the transfer window opened.

Nick Ash during his time with Rupertswood.

“Trent will be full-time with us,” Ash said.

“We managed to get him through a connection at the club and we’ve been really impressed with what he’s brought so far. We’re not just looking to bring in good players, but good people as well.”

While the new and returning faces are expected to bolster the senior side, Ash also has full faith in those making the step up from the under-18s.

“The club has a proud history of investing heavily in its junior program,” he said.

“There’s a good crop coming through, they’ve had good under-18 success in recent seasons so we’re excited to help them take the next step.”

Ash and his players will face a tough start to the season with games against last year’s finalists Keilor, East Keilor and Pascoe Vale inside the first three rounds.

In an even competition, the new coach knows he has to get off to a good start.

“It’s going to test us, we’re going to find out where we sit pretty early,” he said.

“All 10 teams this season are going to have a lot of quality, it’s going to take some really good footy to make the top-four.”

Strathmore’s opening game is the traditional Good Friday blockbuster against Keilor on March 29.