Epping coach Brad Hollow discusses the Pingers’ preparations and expectations

The Pingers strengthened their squad with a host of new faces, most notably reigning NFNL Division 3 league medallist and Coaches MVP Brent Macaffer from divisional rival Old Eltham Collegians.

After scrapping into the top-five on percentage, the club won a final in its first season back in the third tier after being relegated in 2023.

It will now be among the favourites for a premiership and promotion, along with grand finalist Fitzroy Stars and relegated 2023 premier Laurimar.

As Division 3 becomes an ever-improving competition, Hollow knows the club can’t afford to lose step if it wants to return to Division 2.

“This Div 3, I’ve never seen anything like it,” Hollow said.

“The chats are the same as always, we want to be competitive.

“We want to play finals, finish top-two and hopefully do well enough to make a grand final but that’s everyone’s goal.

“I know every other club has recruited really well, so it’s going to be very, very competitive in Div 3.

“There’s going to be a lot of surprises because you can’t take any side lightly, you have a little lapses and you can lose the game.”

Luring Macaffer across from Collegians is one of the biggest coups of the summer.

Epping has also secured the services of key defender Seb D’Arro from Thomastown, 2023 Division 3 leading goalkicker Matt Williamson from Old Eltham and club junior Jackson Dines from Ovens and Murray club Wodonga Bulldogs.

Luke Jeffs (Whittlesea), Buckley Chapman (Sunshine), Lachlan Agnew (Greensborough) and Nathan Byett (Old Eltham Collegians) have also come on board.

Hollow’s sons Jordan and Damon have gone to Essendon District clubs Westmeadows and Keilor respectively but the club has otherwise retained the bulk of its list.

Having played Division 2 outfit St Mary’s in its first practice match, Hollow believed the club was ahead of where it was this time last year despite having several senior players missing.

“I think we’re a little bit above where we were last year but we’ve got different players,” he said.

“Everyone is still learning to work with each other and we had a few missing from our main side, but it shows we’ve got better depth in the group.

“We had eight players missing that could walk into the top side but guys stepped up and played really well, which will make it tough for me to pick the side for the next practice match.

“Everyone is doing their bit, we’ve made sure we’ve done a lot of team stuff, a lot of bonding, to get people in with each other.”

The Pingers will complete their pre-season preparations with two more practice matches against Maryborough Castlemaine club Talbot and Division 2 club Watsonia, both at Epping Reserve.

A big Round 1 test against preliminary finalist Mernda awaits on April 5.

While the likes of Macaffer, skipper Leigh Judd, Luke Lirosi and Seb Latina have led the way this pre-season, Hollow has been impressed with a few youngsters.

He believes the club will have improved depth this year after seeing the club’s reserves finish eighth last season.

“We’ve got a couple of young kids, like Emerson Olivo, he’s barely missed a session and is going to be one to watch,” Hollow said.

“He’s only young but keeps putting his hand up and is a hard little nut.

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“Jackson Dines, he hasn’t surprised me because I’d heard a little about him, but he really shined on the weekend with his speed and that.

“And obviously we’ve got Matt Williamson up forward, we haven’t had a proper full forward in many years, so to have a proper target like him is really good.”

Epping will not host a Good Friday match this season.

After facing the Demons, it will return to Epping Reserve to host Laurimar before matches against Kinglake and Lalor round out the opening month.

Originally published as Epping coach Brad Hollow discusses the Pingers’ preparations and expectations