Matt Embling on Eley Park’s continued improvement

Eley Park boasts one of the youngest lists in the VAFA but as coach Matt Embling reveals, he’s not going to stop blooding the youth.

Eley Park coach Matt Embling. Image: Dennis Timm/VAFA Media.

Matt Embling is clear in his approach in coaching Eley Park.

He wants to provide his players with an environment where they can enjoy their footy and continue to improve.

Season 2025 will be his fourth with the club and he is determined to build on the positives he found this year.

While a 3-13 record might look daunting, the numbers don’t speak for themselves. Improving on the scoreboard is one of the focuses again for next season.

“Our average age is about 21 or 22, which is crazy for a Division 3 side,” Embling said.

“In the three years I have been with the club, it’s been all about developing and giving the guys an opportunity to play footy.

“Early in the year, we were on the end of some pretty heavy losses but by the second time we played some sides that improved by 100 points.”

The improvement was clear in games against La Trobe University. The Sharks went down by 133 points in round 3 but in the return game won by a goal.

“I reckon it was only five or six changes between those two games,” he said.

“That improvement showed me the buy in was there from the players.”

Eley Park showed strong signs of improvement in 2024. Photo: Dennis Timm/VAFA Media.

In 2025, Embling will again lean on the likes of best-and-fairest Ben Field to lead the way as one of the Sharks most experienced players.

Joel Kennedy received “invaluable” experience after being a stand-in captain at just 20.

Matt Gallagher was named best first year player and the “really talented” Tom Johnson was the club’s leading goalkicker for a third year in a row.

Embling also pointed to Lachie Blunden and Jake Weaver, new faces at the club in 2024, as some of the impressive players.

“We just want to keep improving,” he said.

“If we can add some more experienced guys in that 24 to 28 age bracket I think that would be great for us.

“Adam Hugo is one guy coming back next season, he spent this year playing cricket in England.

“Numbers have been good to start pre-season and we’re looking forward to continuing to build towards next year.”