EDFL: Oak Park looks to bounce back in Division 2 2023 season
Oak Park remains optimistic about the future despite its season ending in disappointment as coach Todd Clark gives an insight into the club’s recruiting plans.
Essendon
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There’s plenty of reasons to get excited about the future at Oak Park according to coach Todd Clark.
More than a week on from the Essendon District League Division 2 grand final loss to Keilor Park. the Kangaroos coach has taken the time to reflect.
Initially the feeling was obviously disappointment but looking back on 2022 Clark has every reason to be optimistic.
“When you step back and take a look at the season as a whole it’s been a good year,” he said.
“We competed against a real quality side in Keilor Park and credit to them for what they’ve been able to achieve. We took our game style down another path this season and we really started to see the effects of that in the last quarter of the season.
“There weren’t too many changes just a few tweaks and we’re confident we can keep moving forward with it. We’re channelling it through all three of our senior sides, seniors, reserves and under 18s, because we want to be playing a consistent brand of footy.
“From a depth point of view, I think we’ve got more than previous years and that’s only going to help us moving forward.”
There were familiar faces in Oak Park’s best players throughout the season including Brad Cox, Jedd Taylor, Ryan Smith and Scott Gilliland with the experience heads leading the way at J.P. Fawkner Reserve.
Blair Cronin and Mitch Leathers enjoyed fine seasons in front of goal with 46 and 31 majors respectively.
But it was the emergence of the young guns Anthony De Lorenzi and Taj McCartney which should have Kangaroos supporters excited.
Meanwhile Dylan Smith, Jake Bushell, James Cox, Jordan Lauri, and Zac Graham all made their senior debuts this season.
“When we bring the under 18s up, I don’t believe in giving them just one game, they need minimum two to show what they can do at the level,” Clark said.
“Anthony came in last year and quickly became part of our best 22 and it was a similar case for Taj this year. A number of our under 18 premiership team will come up next year.
“They’re the future of the club and we’re hopeful they can go onto enjoy long senior careers here.”
The planning for season 2023 has already started for Clark as his side aims to carry important lessons forward.
One of those will be becoming “more adaptable” to what other sides bring to the table.
“We’re pretty comfortable with the list we’ve got but we’ll be looking to add a couple,” he said.
“A couple of the bigger body types. Keilor Park were bigger than us.
“But whatever we do that’s not going to change our determination to play the kids.”
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