MPFNL 2025: How Mt Eliza is preparing for flag defence
Mt Eliza is expecting extra attention in 2025, revealing how it will handle it. Plus the Redlegs have identified who’s been scorching the turf at pre-season, and the “gun recruit’’.
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Mt Eliza players can expect extra attention from opposition sides this season, and they’ll need to be ready for it.
That’s the blunt message from Mt Eliza coach Rikki Johnston, who has been meticulously plotting his side’s premiership defence.
Mt Eliza won the MPFNL Division 1 premiership last season, the Redlegs’ young and dynamic side stunning Dromana in the grand final to secure the club’s first flag in 19 years.
Five months on, Johnston says 2025 brings a whole new challenge for the Redlegs.
“I keep trying to hammer into the boys that, ‘all of a sudden a few of your names are going to start rocking up on opposition boards and they’re going to start putting more work into us, so we’ve got to keep getting better’,” Johnston said.
Mt Eliza’s off-season has been quiet as far as recruiting goes, devoid of big-name signings — although Johnston says the Redlegs did have a “decent crack’’ at a huge star.
“For us it probably wasn’t about recruiting too much,” he said.
“I think we’ll have 21 of the 22 who played on grand final day back, and then all the six who were probably in the best 22 who didn’t get to grand final day, they’re all back as well.
“For us it was more around retention and development and I think we’ve done that really well, so we’ll have that continuity.’’
On the failed bid for the star recruit, Johnston said: “It’s a tough business out there at the moment trying to bring recruits in. We’re happy with where the list sits and we will go in unchanged.”
Former Box Hill VFL captain Damian Mascitti played in Mt Eliza’s grand final victory last September but his first season at the Redlegs was plagued by an achilles injury, restricting him to 11 games. Six months on, he’s fully fit and, according to Johnston, will be like “a gun recruit for us’’.
“He never really got off the ground last year,’’ Johnston said.
“He’s got his achilles right and he actually took a trip up to Queensland to see a specialist who helped (Dayne) Zorko with his achilles. He’s full steam ahead, in full training and we think we probably didn’t get to see the best of him last year, so it’s exciting to see what he can do.’’
Johnston said his players were hard fit and keen. Pushed to identify a player who’s had a particularly big pre-season, he nominated Jasper O’Neill.
“Jasper O’Neill is one that I think that’s going to take that next step this year,’’ he said.
“He’s been a good player but through his own admission probably just lacked that little bit of consistency to be a star of the league and I think he’s the got the talent to do it, absolutely. He’s got himself super fit which is going to probably allow him to get into the midfield and get a few more minutes in there. I think he’s one we are really excited about taking the next step.’’
On the coaching front, Beau Casson, who retired as a player at the end of last season, has joined Mt Eliza’s coaching staff as a senior assistant, looking after the backline.
Former Frankston YCW premiership player and Frankston VFL defender Zannon Daff has also joined the club as an assistant coach. He will run the board and the bench on a Saturday. Daff and Johnston are former schoolmates.
“We’ve tried to beef it up a bit,’’ Johnston said of the coaching additions.
Mt Eliza has been getting between 50 and 60 at training over summer. The Redlegs’ U19s train with the seniors.
“It’s manageable without it being silly,’’ Johnston said.
“We’ve got 10 at VFL which makes things a little bit complicated, and I think the 19s will have eight at Coates league as well.
“So they’re in and out.’’
MT ELIZA
IN: Lachie Robinson (Frankston Bombers), Khian Taylor (Somerville)
OUT: Declan Cole (travelling), Max Mourney (travelling), Lachy Hodder (Red Hill)
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