WITH the Essendon District Football League season

ready to kick off this weekend, Star’s

Stuart Teather caught up with league general

manager Stan Pettett.



Star: How is the A Grade shaping up this year?

Stan Pettett: “I think it will be very strong again from all reports; Keilor are going along very nicely recruiting-wise and in the practice matches.

“I think all the teams that were up there last year will be again, and Maribyrnong Park will be trying to make a move up into the finals.”

Star: Have there been any big-name signings in the off-season?

Stan Pettett: “Brodie Holland is the temporary coach (at Maribyrnong Park) at the moment, and I think they’re hopeful he will agree to coach them for the season. Apparently they’ve recruited quite well as well; even if he doesn’t coach, I think the intention is he will play there.

“Digby Morrell is a reasonably well-known, ex-North Melbourne player, he’s coaching Strathmore and playing as well, I believe.”

Star: Who will be the big movers this year?

Stan Pettett: “I’m hoping Craigieburn this year makes a move up, they’ve sort of been hanging in there for the last few years and everyone is expecting them to make a big move. They have recruited some good local players.

“If they can push up and make a bit of a challenge to make the finals, I think that’d be good for them and the league — they’ve never participated in A Grade finals.”

Star: What are the big stories in the EDFL at the moment?

Stan Pettett: “We’re pretty confident that we’ll have three divisions of under-18s this year, which is the first time that has ever happened.

“The big thing that is worrying everybody at the minute is just the ground situation, and the fact that there’s some grounds that desperately need some rain to get ready for round one.”

Star: Who are your tips for premiership success?

Stan Pettett: “A Grade I’d have to go Keilor again – with a coach like Mick McGuane and the way they took off last year, you couldn’t see any reason why they’d go backwards.

“B Grade is hard, again, it’s a potentially quite an even competition, but perhaps I’d have a stab and say Taylors Lakes, who’ve come close the last couple of years, they might make a surge.”