By Josh Ward.
The Vermont men are on the rebound after a rare finals miss last year whilst the women’s program is looking to build on a promising 2022.
The men’s side started off the season hot, winning five of their opening six matches and sitting in second place. However they would then go on to lose their next eight matches and 11 of their last 12 matches to finish outside of finals for the first time in 11 years.
Adam Parker will lead the side for a third consecutive season, recently saying that there’s plenty of excitement at Vermont Reserve.
“We’ve had a fairly decent changeover of the list since that 2019 premiership win. We have a young list again, but they’re all a year older so we’re a bit more optimistic about the growth we’ll get (from them),” Parker said.
The Eagles will be without two-time premiership star Andrew Ainger who retires after playing 44 games and kicking 116 goals between 2018 and 2022 for the Eagles. However majority of the playing list from last year has signed on for 2023.
“Retention’s been pretty good and we’ve been lucky enough to get a few junior players who’ve played at the club back and players who’ve played elsewhere or at a higher level. That’ll help us going forward this year
Amongst those signings include Matt Wilcocks returning after spending a year with family in Leongatha and ex-North Melbourne player Daniel Nielson.
Wilcocks returns after 15 games plus a premiership last season with Leongatha whilst Nielson signs on after kicking 76 goals in 27 goals for WRFL side Werribee Districts in the past two seasons.
“(Matt Wilcocks) comes back and he was arguably the best centre half back the year before. He’s a good one to get and is loved by the club and the playing group, he’ll be handy for us.”
“(Daniel Nielson)’s a Vermont junior as well so he’s come back home, which is great. He gives us a bit of firepower, he’ll be used up forward where he was at Werribee Districts and was really successful in that role.”
Zac Hanlen has also signed on following 24 games for East Burwood across 2021 and 2022. Parker said the ex-Vermont junior is more than ready to take the jump up to Premier this season.
“Zac’s a quality person, he’s gonna hit his straps whether it be right at the start of the year or a little later on. He’s come with the right attitude, he’s come to challenge himself at the better level.”
Ex-Coates Talent League and VFL-listed players Lochlan Jenkins, Lachlan Rathjen and Vermont junior Lachlan Reidy have also put the Eagles as their home club along with Nick Minchin, who returns after two seasons in the SANFL with Glenelg
“They wanna be playing at the VFL level and we hope they do. If not and we’re fortunate enough to have them it’s great for our club and a lot of them are known, they’ve played at Vermont before.”
And having missed finals last season Parker is confident his side can immediately bounce back and play at the pointy end of the season once again.
“We’ve had a few areas which we wanted to get better at, fitness is one of them and the boys have come back pretty hungry which is nice.”
Meanwhile the women’s program had one of its strongest seasons to date. Fielding two sides for the first time, the senior side competed in their second ever Premier Division finals series whilst the reserves would go on to win the 4th Division premiership over Eastern Devils Black.
Tim DaSilveira has stepped down as senior coach, with Greg Walker set to take over the role. Previously coaching junior sides at Vermont, Walker said he was excited to return after spending a year honing his coaching craft as an assistant at the Oakleigh Chargers.
“I was really excited by the prospect of coming back and heading up the women’s program, especially with a lot of the players I know personally and I’ve brought a lot of players from Oakleigh and other clubs I’ve dealt with,” Walker said.
“I’m really excited by the prospect and honestly can’t wait to get into it.”
Amongst those joining from the Oakleigh Chargers program include ex-Blackburn juniors Erin Woodford and Lily Hart plus St Pauls McKinnon product Holly Kenealy.
“Lily will still be sharing time with Oakleigh as a 19-year-old, Erin’s currently training with Box Hill Hawks to try and get a VFLW spot. But just to have those three girls involved in the program is gonna be huge.
“I think Holly is someone who was underrated at the NAB League level last year and people are already commenting at training that she’s gonna be massive for us.”
Two Zoe’s have also signed on, with Zoe Everist joining from VAFA Premier C side North Brunswick and Zoe Colledge joining from Donvale.
“Zoe Everist is someone who’s just moved into the area. She’s one of those girls that since she’s been at training has been the heart and soul and is so coachable.
“And then Zoe Colledge who I coached a couple of years ago in juniors has followed me over. She’s a family friend but she also brings size, marking ability and can hit the scoreboard regularly.”
Marlee Wandin and Alayah Miller have also signed on, with both having played at the junior level before spending some time away from footy.
“Both come from a fitness background and both have shown a lot this preseason. I’m excited to see what they can bring run and carry wise on a wing.”
Majority of the playing list has signed on, with Walker pleased to have a mixture of youth and experience at his disposal for 2023.
“To have experienced girls like Maddie Johns, Holly Cullen, Maddi DaSilveira, Cat Chamberlain, those core girls are as close to assistant coaches as they can get to be honest.”
And with a strong squad at his disposal, Walker believes the reserves can continue improving in 2023 whilst the seniors can also take it up to the likes of the Eastern Devils, Mount Evelyn and South Croydon.
“You go into every game thinking you can win and we definitely think we’re levelling up in the way we play and the players have brought in so we see us having a better season than the team had last year.
“We’ve also brought in a lot of young players so while we think we’re gonna have a big 2023 we also think we’re setting the program for future success and hopefully a bit of a dynasty.”