Saints add new recruits
TOOLEYBUC-Manangatang have made their first steps toward climbing the Central Murray ladder, with the addition of three new players to their 2023 list.
Joining the Saints will be ruckman Tim Auckland and midfielder Ethan Goldfinch, the pair coming from the Apple Isle and set to make a big impact, having both previously played high level football, along with Kwaby Boakye.
Goldfinch will be no stranger to the Central Murray, the talented left footer having suited up for Tooleybuc-Manangatang in their round 6 victory over Koondrook-Barham this season.
He spent the majority of the season playing in the Northern Tasmanian Football Association with Bracknell, where he played 15 matches in the seniors, on top of winning the East Coast Swans best and fairest award and being named in the league’s team of the year in 2021.
Goldfinch also represented Tasmania as a junior, as did fellow recruit Auckland – who would then go on to play at a higher level with the Tassie Mariners and both the Adelaide Crows and Central Districts in the SANFL pre-COVID, as well as playing in a seniors premiership for Launceston in the Tasmanian State League.
Meanwhile, Boakye will also potentially slot into the Saints midfield, with his athleticism and speed key attributes.
Boakye has also spent a number of seasons playing high level football, including being part of the Gold Coast Suns AFL academy, the Allies Under 18 National Championships side and more recently playing VFL football with the Southport Sharks.
Cohuna spree continues
THE Cohuna Kangas have continued to strengthen their premiership chances by adding yet another key defender to their senior line-up, with Nathan Hammond to join the club for next season.
Hammond comes to the Kangas from Blackburn in the Eastern Football League and will re-join brother Jake at Cohuna.
A key defender who can also play as a second ruck and up forward, Hammond will also add to the already-growing number of leaders around the club, having previously been a vice-captain with his former club.
His signature comes on the back of a solid off-season for the Kangas, having already announced the re-signing of the majority of their 2022 playing list, including Jake Hammond, Brenton Conforti, Tom Metherell, Zac Poole, Nathan Taylor, Tyson Farrant and Will O’Shea, along with the announcement that Tyson Findlay will take over as coach for season 2023.
Fresh faces at Ultima
While on the recruiting theme, it’s been a big week for Golden Rivers club Ultima, who have been busy securing a number of signatures of their own – including a new A Grade netball coach for next season.
Tayla Foster will return to the Roos and take the reins, having spent the past few seasons plying her trade for the Mallee Eagles A Grade side.
Foster, who plays through the mid-court, is no stranger to the blue and white, having played with the club previously and will no doubt be hoping to help the Roos go further than their first semi-final exit this season.
While we’re out at Ultima, it’s not just on the courts where there will be new faces next season, with the club also announcing a number of new football recruits as well, including Tayla’s husband Jake Foster. Foster will add to the Roos’ on-ball brigade, with the in-and-under midfielder consistently one of the Mallee Eagles’ better players this season.
Foster’s signature comes on the back of the club announcing a number of re-signings, including key players Jack Gervasi, Darcy Farrell, Sean O’Reilly, Jayden Kiel, Jye Purtill and Jack Delmenico.
Bombers flying high
Another Golden Rivers club is also making a big impression this off-season, with Wandella also announcing a number of new recruits ahead of a revamped six team Golden Rivers competition in 2023.
Marong premiership midfielder Adam Ward, former Quambatook ruckman/key defender Jonty Taylor and the returning Brock Henderson will all don the black and red sash next season, with the signings announced on the club’s social media platforms recently.
Ward will likely be a massive inclusion for the Bombers and add to their already strong midfield, along with Henderson, who will return to the club after having a year off from football in 2022.
While no stranger to the Golden Rivers or Wandella, Taylor will return to the club he played 40 senior games for, having spent the past two years plying his trade with Quambatook.
