By Luke D’AnelloBy Luke D’Anello
KEILOR Park will have failed dismally if it does not qualify for the Essendon District Football League (EDFL) B Grade finals this season.
That’s the view of first-year coach and club legend Leigh Coles, who will take over the reins from Marcus Barclay.
Coles returns to the club after a stint with Riddell in the RDFL.
The Devils’ hierarchy expect a bumper off-season of recruiting to pay dividends after the senior team finished in ninth position in 2010, with seven wins.
The signings include goal merchant Murray Silver, who has spent the past two seasons with St Kilda City in the SFL.
The forward will cause plenty of headaches for opposition defences.
Coles has also plucked a trio of players from Riddell, with Jason and Brayden Allen and Justin Belleville confirmed signings.
Jason Allen is an ex-captain of Riddell and the RDFL inter-league team, while ruckman Brayden claimed his old club’s best and fairest last season.
Coles said he envisaged a marked improvement on last year.
“We’ll be making finals. If we haven’t made finals, we haven’t done something right and I’ve failed. I’m forecasting finals, definitely,” Coles said.
“We’re happy with what we’ve got. Pre-season, so far, has been fantastic and we’ve had 50-plus senior players on the track. Everyone’s been training really well and we’re looking forward to a good year.
“We’re very happy at the moment. Everything’s going to plan and we’ve just got to get the results now come the season.
“Speaking to everyone there, they’re all ready to redeem themselves after having such a bad year last year. They were affected by injuries pretty badly, but they’re all ready to redeem themselves and have a good year.”
Keilor Park Reserve is an operation free zone at the moment, which leaves Coles confident of a productive season.
The Devils will begin their B Grade campaign against local rival East Keilor on 9 April.
