2019 IN PROFILE
First (same position as 2018 - 2 fewer wins)
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
11 wins, 5 losses
Defeated Sebastopol in qualifying final, Melton in second semi-final and Sebastopol in grand final
Senior players: 34
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING (home and away)
Quarters won: 35
Best quarters: first (averaged 12-point lead), last (highest average score, 26 points)
Worst quarters: second (averaged 6-point lead), second (lowest average score, 22 points)
Highest quarter score: 73 points
Quarters less than 10 points: 10
BEST AND FAIREST - Jordan Johnston
LEADING GOALKICKER - Jordan Johnston 38
HENDERSON MEDAL VOTING
10-Jake McQueen
10-Makitja Rotumah-Onus
8-Clay Bilney
7-Jordan Johnston
7-Brad Whittaker
5-Matt Johnston
3-Billy Jones
3-Cam Lovig
2-Joel Ottavi
2-Joel Mahar
1-Jacob Brown
1-Jordan Taylor
1-Daniel Tung
IN SUMMARY
Back-to-back premierships.
What more can you say? What more can you ask for?
East Point went into last season with a much heavier load on its shoulders as the reigning premier.
The pressure was always going to be on the Roos and there were moments when they did look a little shaky - especially with consecutive losses to Redan and North Ballarat City in the first half of the season.
Like a good side though, they took it on the chin and quickly responded in a positive way.
Depth was undoubtedly a key.
Like most teams, the Roos had injury issues, with only five players engaged in all 19 games.
QUICK STICKS: WRAPPING UP THE ROOS' SEASON IN 30 SECONDS
They also had to deal with Joel Ottavi finding a permanent spot in Williamstown's VFL line-up, and Jacob Brown and Jake McQueen being back and forth with Essendon VFL commitments.
When the first ball of the season was bounced though, every 2018 premiership player was on board and what a foundation this was.
Chris Carson, Dallas Martin and Cam Lovig were all in rehabilitation, but when it counted most at the end all three were fit.
The biggest change in personnel for 2019 was the absence of premiership captain and champion ruckman Paul Koderenko.
Hindered by knee trouble, Koderenko bypassed pre-season and it was clear right from the outset that at best he would be nursed through.
Ultimately, he made just four early season senior appearances, with a late run to return for finals and another premiership coming up short.
With his subsequent retirement, the ruck division is East Point's weakest link going in 2020.
With every premiership player staying on, there are no other soft spots in the Roos' make-up.
Jaykeb Lench returned as a raw recruit and spent most of the year as the number one ruckman, developing significantly with each outing.
However, there was no place in the side for him on grand final day, when not for the first time for the year East Point settled on Dallas Martin carrying the ruck load with Mitch Walsh providing support.
Martin has played in each of East Point's two premierships, but for a long time his body has been fragile.
He is ideally a key defender and it will be interesting to see whether coach Jake Bridges returns him to the backline where Martin looks to be best suited.
2020
There will be change, just as there was this year when there were six fresh faces in the premiership side.
Word is that players have been knocking the door down at the Eastern Oval.
There will be newcomers, but there is not likely to be too much change.
The Roos are expecting to see some untapped talent from within working its way to the top in the likes of the injury-prone Joe Dodd, Nick Canny, Ben Dodd, and Matthew Romeril.
Then there is the scope of getting full seasons out of premiership duo Mitch Tuddenham and Martin, who remain in their formative years.
CONCLUSION
East Point is going to be a huge chance of completing a hattrick of premierships.
The Roos have matured into a fine combination.
There is no question they see a rare opportunity to develop a golden era.
It is impossible to find a reason why East Point will not be at pointy end once again.
RATING
9.5/10
Another fine season in which it did most things right.
No question it was the best side in the competition.