With preseason preparations well under way and Round 1 fast approaching, Scoop goes one-on-one with all 11 senior coaches ahead of the 2023 McDonalds BFNL season.
CLUB: East Point
COACH: Jackson Merrett (1st Season)
2022 Home & Away Record: 5th (10-6, 110.33%)
Scoop: Jackson, congratulations on your coaching appointment at the Kangas for 2023. Where did the interest in the job start, I mean you're still quite young (29) to be a head coach?
Jackson Merrett: When I finished up at Essendon four years ago, I knew I wanted to coach if/when the right opportunity presented.
S: While losing Mickitja Rottumah-Onus and Jacob Brown is not ideal - on paper you're still right in the premiership hunt. But it's fair to say the group has been 'up' for a while, including two flags in 2018 and 2019, how are the motivation levels?
JM: I'm confident the group will thrive under a new structured game plan. The young players too will add pressure to the selection table as we look to add more leg speed. It’s exciting times ahead for the club.
S: The Johnston brothers are bona fide A-Graders in the comp. Having seen plenty of footy over your journey, what impresses you most about them?
JM: Their will to win and get the most out of themselves. They drive standards and lead by example.
S: Brad Whittaker missed just about all of 2022 with a freakish leg injury – how is his return tracking?
JM: Brad had a setback before Christmas but with a measured build up over the remaining pre-season we're confident he'll be right to Round 1.
S:The Kangas have been blessed with quality juniors for some time now - is this the year we can expect you to experiment with a few more or are you more likely to go with 'the proven' until form says otherwise?
JM: We're keen to continue developing our next generation. I think we had as many as 10 debutants last year from our Under 19s. And look out for the emerging crop up from our Under 17s also (played in Grand Final versus Redan last season) - they haven't missed a session. We're excited about the potential growth of our first and second-year players.
S: What are some of the identified strengths of the club?
JM: The Cohesion and acceptance of the group regardless of age. They have a will to play for one another with a collective buy-in from everyone.
S: Where do you expect to see your projected improvement come from?
JM: Structured game plan across the board. For example, when challenged or under the pump we're all on the same page of what to do next. A couple of times last year we were blown out of the water in a single quarter and couldn't stop the bleeding. Also, an injection of leg speed will sharpen us up, especially in defence and on the wings.
S: How has pre-season training looked?
JM: We had a five-week block before Christmas. Then returned two nights a week since late January.
S: Who do you expect to be the biggest improvers this year? (Outside of your club)
JM: Sunbury
S: Who is your flag tip? (Outside of your club)
JM: Sebastopol will be the benchmark.
KEY INS:
M.Williams (Mt Clear Juniors)
PLAYER OUTS:
M.Rottumah-Onus (Mallee Tigers), J.Brown (Keilor), J.Maher, J.Gallagher, I.Quick.
VFL AFFILIATED PLAYERS:
Nil
