MAIDEN GULLY YCW
PROFILE
THERE’S no confusion about what Maiden Gully YCW expects of new co-coaches Angus Monfries and Shawn Filo.
Because there is only one thing for the Eagles to do after their 2023 season – fly upwards.
The club last played finals in 2019, was competitive in the first two seasons post-COVID and in 2023 crashed to the bottom of the ladder.
Monfries knows there is a battle ahead but says “the reason you play footy is to play finals, and that’s what we are planning to do”.
Like the other teams whose seasons ended early, he is targeting that fifth spot on the ladder as a realistic opportunity and believed the club had the right mix to make it.
“We have been able to retain virtually every player from last season’s list and then added a number of key position players to give us that extra impact on field,” Monfries said.
After playing 211 games in the AFL with Essendon and Port Adelaide, there’s no doubt the playing co-coach knows a good side when he sees it.
“I think the combination of my experience as a player and coach, and Shawn’s outstanding track record as a country coach helps us understand where we are going this season with the team,” he said.
“The top sides in the competition look strong on paper, but we are aiming to be part of the action in September.”
Monfries said the club’s development of juniors gave it some depth, and although it wouldn’t have an under-18s this season, plans were under way to change that next year.
He said that with those coming through and the strong local presence, the coaching staff had the luxury of only needing to tweak the list.
That included Mitch Hough, who they worked with at Castlemaine and is joining them from Newstead after recovering from Achilles surgery.
“The attitude around the club is excellent and we have had strong numbers on the track right through pre-season,” Monfries said.
“With Shawn calling the game from the sidelines and me playing across half-back, where I can help set up our forward momentum, I am looking forward to seeing how the changes we have made to the structure and game plan play out.”
FROM THE COACH
“We are building our season on the quality of our playing list and the combination of experience Shawn (co-coach Shawn Filo) and I bring to the club and a realistic understanding of where we come in and how we can most effectively and efficiently use the assets the Eagles have. This is a proud club and the work everyone has done in the off-season shows we have no intention of staying where we finished in 2023.”
KEY PLAYER
Josh Worsley: Now captain of the club, Worsley has put in a big summer to set himself up for a big year. Coming to the club from Bendigo as a junior in 2018, he has risen through the ranks (including two years as a AFL Victoria representative in the under-18s) and is set for a big year.
INS & OUTS
INS: Todd Pridgeon (Macedon), Mitch Hough (Newstead), Todd Delehay (Macedon), Declan Phyland (Macedon), Bryce Franzini (Kangaroo Flat), Adam Pollock (Newstead), Dylan Turner (Wycheproof), Jack McHutcheson (Wycheproof).
OUTS: None.
