Local footy: How EDFL club East Keilor is building for success
East Keilor has been the EDFL’s headline-grabber since the end of the 2019 season, attracting several star recruits. Coach Pat Christofi explains how the Cougars are building towards a Premier Division future.
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It is the most asked question in Essendon District Football League circles since the end of the 2019 campaign.
How can East Keilor’s best 22 fit into the player points cap?
Before the 2020 season was canned, the Cougars’ best line-up was viewed as almost unbeatable in Division 1.
Unless their opponents get busy in coming months, it is likely the same declarations will apply next year.
But coach Pat Christofi believes his club’s detractors have become “side-tracked”.
East Keilor is building towards a spot in Premier Division – and it wants to stay there.
Christofi is acutely aware he will face some pleasant selection headaches next season.
He is also aware returning players will lose a point, and then drop another point the year after, which will ease the points squeeze.
He has cast an eye well beyond next season.
Not concerned about the points limit, he instead wants to foster a competitive environment where games are earned. While the ambitions are grand, there is no room for complacency.
Christofi is looking to build his team into a top-flight force, meaning retaining and recruiting both serve an important purpose.
“This is how we’re going to make East Keilor great in the future, to sustain success,” Christofi said.
“I’m not looking at today – I’m thinking about the time to come. How is East Keilor going to get back to A grade and be that powerhouse they were and compete with Keilor and Abers?
“We are not satisfied with being in Division 1.
“The only way I can do that is bring a lot of talent in and have them compete against each other for spots and create this healthy competition throughout the football club. That will attract more quality players, as it’s done to this point.
“I don’t want players to feel they’re getting a game because of their name or reputation.
“I want them to perform and be there week in and week out, showing they’re worthy of a spot.”
The Cougars boasted stars such as Josh Grabowski, Ash Arrowsmith, Ben Caluzzi, Joe Palazzolo and Dion Hill when it lost last year’s decider to Craigieburn.
Before the end of last September, they unveiled the signings of Pines champions Paul Scanlon and Tim Bongetti, along with Brandon Coletta (Hillside), Kevin Klix (Deer Park) and Mickey Nicholls (Old Geelong).
Then they secured ex-AFL player Marc Lock (Old Carey), 2016 Hutchison medallist Victor Micallef (Hillside), Tim Atkins (Yarroweyah), Lachlan Calder (St Albans), Josh Mascara, Lee Santoro (both Bundoora) and Rusiate Komiaitai (Strathmore).
It is an understatement to declare it an impressive recruiting haul.
But wait, there’s more.
In recent weeks East Keilor has signed ex-VFL player Fabian Brancatisano and reigning Hillside best-and-fairest winner Lockie Rayner.
Bruno Laguda, who remains listed with Essendon’s VFL squad, has also crossed from Essendon Doutta Stars.
Since 2010, only four Division 1 premiers remain in the top grade, with Craigieburn and Airport West hoisting the silverware twice during that period.
Pascoe Vale (2011), Essendon Doutta Stars (2015) and Glenroy (2017) have stayed up since their flags, while Craigieburn will have a crack at survival next season.
But Christofi said the Cougars will do anything but make up the numbers if and when they earn promotion.
“I can tell you, we’re going to go up there and we’re not tumbling anywhere,” he said.
“That’s what all this work is about – it’s not about getting there. That’s not satisfying.
“It’s about sustained, long-term success.
“I want to get up there and have a crack from the very first year.
“That’s my goal, and that’s what it was when I came across (to East Keilor) in 2019. We’ve got no different intentions for premier.”
Suburban leagues are set to shave a point off returning players in 2021.
Christofi admitted it had assisted the Cougars’ bid to bolster their squad but maintained it was an “even playing field”.
“It has helped us improve our list, as it’s helped every other club in Victoria improve their list,” he said.
East Keilor claimed Division 2 flags in 2012, 2014 and 2016, with its last Division 1 premiership coming in 1992 and a Premier Division flag in 1994.
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