EDFL: Rupertswood coach Arron Bray reflects on Division 1 2022 season
Rupertswood showed plenty of promising signs in its first completed EDFL season and with further development could move into 2023 premiership contention. Here’s why.
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Could Rupertswood contend for a premiership in 2023?
It’s a question well worth asking after the Sharks promising Essendon District Football League Division 1 season.
In their first completed season since crossing from the Riddell District competition, the Sharks narrowly missed out on a finals spot after going down to West Coburg in the final round.
But before then, there had been plenty of signs the young group is an emerging power in the league’s second tier.
They were the only side to beat premier Airport West and Tullamarine.
But interestingly couldn’t beat other finalists West Coburg and Westmeadows, losing all four games against those sides.
Despite a 10-8 record there’s every reason to suggest they’re a team to keep an eye on ahead of next year.
Young guns including Alex Misiti, Jackson Cardillo, Jackson Pranauskas, Jacob Chahine, Jakeb Coles and Jordan Tentonello all made big impressions.
Meanwhile recruits including Benjamin Said, Brock Landt, Matt Italiano and Zak Saad made seamless transitions into the side.
The familiar names of Brent Swallow and Dylan Podolczak, both premiership players in 2019, were consistent as ever.
Coach Arron Bray has re-signed for a further two seasons and is preparing to take the playing group until another level.
“We expected to go close to finals and finished around where we probably thought we would,” he said.
“The whole list has re-signed which is a real positive for us. We got a lot more development out of our boys as they started to realise what it takes to play senior footy in the EDFL.
“Our young guys took some huge steps forward and are becoming really talented footballers. The players we brought in weren’t the biggest names, but we targeted what we thought would compliment what we already have.
“It was a great year of learning for us as a group and we’ll look forward to continue building next season.”
The Sharks learnt some important lessons along the way according to Bray.
Although none could be more important than aiming to be a consistent side.
“Our biggest goal is try and close the gap between our best and worst,” he said.
“It’s about getting your head right no matter who we play against. We had a very good habit of being up for it against the top sides and then maybe taking our eyes off our goal for parts of games and then being punished for it.
“We’re really comfortable with where we’re at with our game plan so I can’t imagine there will be too many changes there.
“We know it works and can beat the better teams. The boys really stuck to the task of learning it and we saw the rewards.”
Rupertswood will hold its senior best and fairest on September 23.
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