Epping coach Brad Hollow knows nothing is guaranteed in the club’s return to Division 3

NFNL Division 3 looks stacked in 2024 and Epping coach Brad Hollow believes it will be an opportunity for the relegated club to earn some respect back.

Lucas Aquillina in action for Epping. Picture: Nathan O'Neill

Relegation to NFNL Division 3 will not guarantee a return to winning ways for Epping.

Pingers coach Brad Hollow said there would be no gimmes for the club in what looks a stacked competition in 2024.

Epping won just one game in 2023 after only two wins in 2022 and has not had a winning record since it’s last Division 3 campaign in 2017.

Hollow took the coaching reins mid-season this year, replacing co-coaches Glen Lehner and Aaron Newport.

An early start to pre-season training has him confident the club will be up to the fitness and skill level required to create a winning culture.

“We started early, we started in early October, and we’ve had really good numbers – averaged over 40,” Hollow said.

“Everyone has the same expectations, everyone wants to play finals and win a flag.

“The big thing the guys haven’t had in recent years is a lot of success, in terms of wins.

“They all ummed and ahhed about going back to Div 3 but I said to them it’s just a different competition and it’s a way we can reset the club and gain some respect and get the winning culture back.

“It’s not going to be easy and that’s why we started early so that when the season starts we’re ready to go.

“We’re not taking it lightly, coming back from Div 2 to Div 3, by any stretch it’s going to be hard whoever we play against. Div 3 is going to 16 hard games.”

Epping has made a strong start to the off-season with a handful of additions.

Adrian Alfonsi has crossed from Watsonia, while Reece Field and Ostinn Bellingham have come on board from WRFL Division 3 grand finalist Albanvale.

Alfonsi and Field loom as one of the competition’s most dangerous forward combos with Alfonsi kicking 28 goals in 13 games, while Field booted an outstanding 75 goals from 19 appearances, including five in the decider.

Meanwhile, Corey Middleton (Eltham), Jaedyn Kearney (Old Eltham) and Jordan Wilkins have all returned.

“The list has got to change because we haven’t been fit enough or the skills haven’t been good enough,” Hollow said.

“To bring in Alfonsi and the couple of boys from the Western Region in Reece and Ostinn just opens up a few avenues.

“We’re just trying to change the culture, we’re targeting players that have played for the club that have left to play a better standard to come back.

“It’s going to be a good mix, we’ve had some good sessions, we’re getting fit and the skills are improving every week.”

The last time Epping suffered relegation from Division 2 was 2014 and the club went on to play in consecutive grand finals.

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Hollow will be hoping history repeats but knows the likes of grand finalist Mernda, finalists Old Eltham Collegians and Kinglake and big off-season improvers Heidelberg West and Fitzroy Stars will make for a fierce top-five fight.

“Div 3, no division is an easy ticket, but Fitzroy Stars have done well, Mernda has done well,” Hollow said.

“You just don’t know until you come up against them I guess but we’ll just worry what we can do for ourselves.

“As I’ve said to the boys if everyone does the right thing, we’ll be a really good team and hard to beat.”