Essendon Doutta Stars secure EDFL Premier Division status

Fresh off signing a new two-year deal, Doutta Stars coach Barry Prendergast has revealed what has impressed him in 2023 and given an insight into his recruiting plans.

With two games to play, Essendon Doutta Stars can say it has reached their goal for 2023 — maintain Premier Division status.

Barry Prendergast’s side confirmed their place in the competition for next season with a 16.19 (115) to 5.7 (37) thumping of last placed Maribyrnong Park on Saturday.

The result leaves the Stars three games clear of the last placed Lions.

It also gave the club more to celebrate after Prendergast extended his stay by at least a further two years to the end of the 2025 season leading up to the game.

While he’s focused on guiding his side through the last two rounds, Prendergast says there were already plenty of good signs to reflect on from his first year in charge.

Thomas Lamplugh of Essendon Doutta Stars is seen at the huddle. Photo: Josh Chadwick.

“There’s a lot to build on heading into next year,” he said.

“They’re a young group who has brought into everything we’ve asked. They knew the challenge that was in front of them and they’ve confronted it every week.

“Resilience has been one of our biggest growth areas, we’ve had a few floggings but that didn’t stop the attitude of wanting to continue growing.”

Many people feared for the Stars status in the top-flight after an off-season of significant change in 2023.

But Prendergast said he knew exactly what he was walking into when he first took on the role as senior coach.

Raymond Eid of Essendon Doutta Stars. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

“I knew that was I was getting into, I knew it was going to be a challenge,” he said.

“It was never been a one year and take off job. The club has been great and off the field with its support for me and the players. It was an easy decision to re-sign.

“A lot of players obviously left at the end of last year, then we brought a lot of new guys in and it was about building something different with this group of players.

“There’s a really good feeling around the entire club at the moment with our women’s team in the grand final this weekend and we wish them all the best.”

Essendon Doutta Stars coach Barry Prendergast speaks to his players. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Midfielders Campbell Wearne, James Harrold and Tom Wallis have been among the Stars better players this season with consistent appearances in the best.

Wearne has been named in the best on 14 occasions having played 15 games.

“We’ve got some really quality footy out of those guys,” Prendergast said.

“Declan Tully and Giacomo Thomas have had good years up forward and have hit the scoreboard.

“There’s been a lot of guys stand up, the important thing is we’ve had a lot of internal development.”

In its last two games, Doutta Stars will face Greenvale and premiership favourites Keilor.

Prendergast is seeing it as an opportunity for further growth in his players.

“By the end of the season, a lot of guys will have now played 15 to 18 senior games, in round one some were playing their first,” he said.

“It gives us a good platform to build off. In our win against Airport West we had six under-18s playing. We know we still need to build our list but we’ll assess what we need.

“The club’s philosophy is to build from within, we need to leave a scope for development even we when do recruit.

“We’ll look at what we can add in the coming weeks.”