The Pascoe Vale recruits who starred on debut

Pascoe Vale was one of the most active EDFL clubs during the off-season and the Panthers are already seeing returns on their investments after a trio of recruits starred on debut.

Pascoe Vale is already seeing a return on its off-season investments.

The Panthers started their 2023 season with a statement 14.9 (93) to 10.9 (69) win over Aberfeldie on Saturday.

And it’s hard not to be impressed.

In his first game post-VFL career, Josh Iacobaccio was the centre of everything good for the Panthers in a best on ground display.

He also got on the scoreboard with two goals.

“Josh is going to be a terrific leader for us this season,” Pascoe Vale coach Digby Morrell said.

“I thought it was a really hard working game. He worked to both ends of the ground and getting forward and kicking a couple of goals is a real bonus for us.”

Sunny Brazier made an impressive start to life as a Panther. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Saturday’s Essendon District league Premier Division opening round also saw Morrell unleash a new look forward line which already ranks among the best in the competition.

Recruits Adam Del Busso and Sunny Brazier kicked three goals apiece alongside stalwart Matt Watson who kicked three of his own.

“It’s slightly different to how we’ve looked in the past,” Morrell said of the structure forward of the footy.

“Adam is already well known across the competition, he’s well respected by opposition teams and he was someone we were keen to get across from Glenroy.

“He has a big presence and he’s going to take a lot of pressure off Watto.

“Sunny had a fantastic start. We made some tweaks to our ball movement during the off-season and it was great to see it all come together.

“With those changes we targeted a few guys who we thought could help with what we were trying to implement.”

Pascoe Vale were all smiles after the win. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Lachlan Stredwick picked up from where he left off last season to be named in Pascoe Vale’s best while Daniel Guccione also impressed.

The Panthers gained control of the contest with a six-goal to one second term with Abers unable to find wrestle back momentum.

Pascoe Vale will now turn its attention to another big test against Keilor at Joe Brown Oval.

“The first two games were always going to be important for us,” Morrell said.

“We’ve played finals in the past few years and won a couple but the next step is to try and break into the top-two which is so important for your hopes of going further.

“We’ve ticked one of those challenges off and now we get to test ourselves against Keilor, who are always around the mark.”

James Peters impressed in a losing effort with four goals, being named best afield for Aberfeldie.

Josh Kemp and Ben Williamson also put in big shifts.

Abers will look to bounce back against Avondale Heights on Anzac Day.