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RELATED: 2018 Knox junior preview
By: Daniel Cencic
Twitter: @DC_EFL
Following its 2017 Division 2 premiership, Knox senior coach David Madigan senses a distinct difference from two years ago ahead of his side’s upcoming Division 1 campaign.
Madigan believes his side is primed for another crack at the top tier where it last played in 2016.
“Looking back at the body shapes and maturity of these guys two years ago when they were just coming out of under-19s to playing senior footy, they’re bigger, they’re stronger and so much more confident,” he said.
“They’re taking up that role of being the core of the group – guys like Ryan Johnson, Harry Greaves, Dec Forbes, ‘Jimma’ Curtiss, Mitch Hanegraaf – they just blossomed into really good, strong senior footballers last year and had significant influence on our games and our finals campaign.”
The Falcons have welcomed a raft of VFL talent, including the Northern Blues’ John Rafferty and Robert Maibaum, along with North Melbourne’s Matt Northe.
“’Raffer’ (John Rafferty) was with us in 2016 and really gives us something between the arcs, playing wing before he had a crack at VFL footy, so he’ll come back and play that wing role,” Madigan said.
“Rob’s decided he just wants to focus on local footy – he’s a good-looking type – about 184cm (and) a mobile half-forward.
“Matty Northe is a really good kid, I’ve known him since he started at Box Hill. He can go inside and out as a midfielder, so he’ll give us a bit of flexibility there.”
Rounding out the recruits is Justin Pilgrim, formerly of Heyfield in the North Gippsland Football Netball League and Pambula in the Sapphire Coast league.
Madigan is confident Pilgrim can provide the Falcons with an extra dimension up forward.
“Justin is from New South Wales originally, so he’s got a bit of footy nous about him as that 180-plus half-forward type and will give us a bit of bite around the forward line,” Madigan said.
Headlining the outs for Knox in the off-season is 2015 Chandler medallist Luke Williams, who has joined rival Wantirna South.
Among other omissions include 2017 premiership players Jordan Damatopoulos, Scott Davis, Jayden Duman, Brett Kay (East Burwood) and Liam Kidd (South Belgrave).
Madigan believes the departures open the door for players to step up into leadership roles, with the new recruits already influencing the playing group.
“They (the new recruits) are all mature footballers (and) in terms of leadership we’ve had guys that we’ve added onto our list in Jesse Plostins last year and Jack Beech who’s been with us for four years now and a really experienced ruckman,” he said.
“Luke (Williams) leaves a bit of a gap at our club, but I think it also provides opportunities to some of the other guys that they perhaps had aspired to.”
Club captain Stephen Aiello is no certainty to be lining up this year, after undergoing knee surgery in the off-season.
The 2017 premiership captain defied the odds last September, playing in the club’s grand final victory after injuring his knee the week prior.
Madigan says Aiello will not be rushed back into action.
“He’s got to have a bit more tidy-up surgery and it probably depends on what they find in terms of healing after that,” he said.
“Steve’s going to be involved in an assistant-coaching capacity.
“He’s had a pretty ordinary run with knee injuries, so it’s a bit of a quality of life thing and it’s not something we’re going to be rushing.”
With the five-division structure taking effect from 2019 in the EFL, Madigan believes this season is an opportunity for his side to establish itself in the top tier and be part of something special.
“I think it’s a really good move for the competition and I’ve said to our guys and to the club in general that we’ve got a chance to be a part of something special if we can put enough wins on the board to be part of a premier metropolitan football competition,” he said.
“It’s going to be a difficult task, but I think we’re certainly a better football team than we were two years ago in Division 1.
“Everybody recognises that it’s a significant jump up from Division 2 to Division 1.
“I’m really glad that we’ve bounced straight back up because I don’t think it’s going to get any easier for clubs in Division 2 to make it up to Division 1, especially with some other strong clubs that are going to come down again.
“We’ve earnt the opportunity to have a go in keeping a spot in Division 1 and consolidating our list and the way we’re going about our footy as a club, we want to make the most of it.”
Off the field, former club secretary Jane Barbanti has assumed the role of president, taking over from the long-serving Joe Aiello.
“It’s very exciting and it’s something that I’m really looking forward to,” Barbanti said.
“I’ve had some great feedback and support from the committee, parents, mums and the women’s football side.
“I think it’ll be an exciting change for the club.”
Knox women’s side will again compete in the Deakin University Eastern Region Women’s Competition under the tutelage of new coach Sean Price, following on from its fourth-placed finish last season. Price takes over from Clint Martin, who will coach Donvale’s women’s side this year.
With the growth of women’s football and netball at Knox, Barbanti is thrilled with the ‘holistic’ pathway the club has taken.
“That’s something that we’re really striving towards at Knox and getting that real ‘one-club’ feel and it’s great.”
Knox will host Montrose at Knox Gardens Reserve in Round 1, on Saturday, April 7.
