AFL Outer East: Stars depart Woori Yallock but a host of signings and returning players keeps the mood positive
There’s no doubt Woori Yallock has lost some talent, but a decent list of recruits and quality players returning from injury has the club buoyant.
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Last season Woori Yallock was the best-placed of the former AFL Yarra Ranges clubs in the inaugural AFL Outer East season, finishing fourth before bowing out of the post-season with an elimination final loss to Cranbourne.
But it will be a very different Tigers line-up in 2020, with a host of personnel changes in the off-season.
A trio of star Tigers — Jordy Williams and the Monkhorst brothers, Zach and Ben — have headed eastwards, linking up with EFNL Premier Division outfit South Croydon while 2010 premiership player Michael Riseley has signed with Division 1’s Upper Ferntree Gully.
Certainly losses like that will hurt, you don’t bid farewell to quality like that every season.
Veteran coach Bryan Cole, however, does not hold a grudge, he’s been around footy too long.
“They’ve been stalwarts of the Woori Yallock Football Club for years,” he said. “It will be good for them, good for them to have a bit of change. That’s the way it is, that’s footy these days. I do support players playing the best footy they can.”
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Premiership player Joel Coombs is also on his way to Division 2 side Warburton Millgrove as is Christian Cameron and former Tigers junior Trent Elliott.
Cole, however, said there was still plenty to like about the Tigers’ chances in 2020.
“We’ve got a bit more depth this year,” he said. “This year we had players doubling up 18s and seniors, and you can’t do that. To be honest I’m really looking forward to it this year. Some of those 18s have 40-odd games in them and they’ll be better players for it.”
Like most clubs at this time of the year, the Tigers have thrown the recruiting net out and about.
“Obviously we are trying to recruit a few more,” Cole said. “Bring in a few A Grade players to strengthen things up.”
Woori Yallock has already inked some signatures Matt McArthur, a defender/ruckman, bringing a wealth of experience gained at EFNL’s Montrose and with Powelltown while Seville premiership forward Josh Neal has also come on board.
Archie Smith, a developing ruckman from Mansfield; Brad Clark, a premiership player with Yarra Junction boasting Premier Division experience at Healesville and Kyal McNeil, an experienced defender with Hampton Rovers in the VAFA, have also signed with the club.
But the biggest improvement is likely to come from within Woori Yallock itself with a number of players returning from long-term injury.
“Rob Allen missed about nine games and Campbell Smedley missed six or eight weeks,” Cole said. “(Luke) Boontjies is back after only playing a few games and Michael Batten is great player.
“I’m really looking for a lot of improvement from within.”
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