AFL Outer-East: Reigning Division 1 champs Wandin have plenty to be excited about ahead of flag defence

Reigning Division 1 premier Wandin will set about its flag defence in the newly-created AFL Outer-East with a new coach at the helm, a few new signings in tow and more than a spring in its step.

Wandin players celebrate at the final siren of last season’s AFL Yarra Ranges grand final

Reigning Division 1 premier Wandin will set about its flag defence in the newly-created AFL Outer-East with a new coach at the helm, a few new signings in tow and more than a spring in its step.

The coaching change is set to be a seamless one with Nick Adam, assistant to premiership-winning boss Nick Rutley over the past two season, stepping up to take the reins.

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“I wouldn’t say it’s rare,” Adam said of his elevation to the senior coaching role, “But it’s not something that happens too often the year after a premiership win. But the autonomy he (Nick Rutley) provided me over the last two years will hold me in good stead. I don’t think you ever really know until you sit in the big chair. But the relationships I have been able to build with the players, I’m really excited about the year ahead.”

After the Bulldogs staged a barnstorming finals campaign on the way to last year’s flag, the inevitable question of premiership hangovers is batted away before its even asked.

“The boys are really engaged in getting the work done, probably more than any other year that I have been here,” Adam said. “I expect a lot of them to be coming back in really good shape. I’m getting a few photos a week sent to me of them in the gym.”

While, the departure of towering ruckman Robbie Ross (Vermont) and Brad Harvey (Barwon Heads) have left some pretty big shoes to fill, the Bulldogs have signed Michael Fowkes (Park Orchards), Daniel Gorringe (Park Orchards, ex-Gold Coast/Carlton) and Alex O’Reilly (Stanhope).

Century goalkicker Michael Fowkes will be back at the club. Picture: Brendan Francis

“I was lucky, I knew mid-year after talking to Nick (Rutley) that I was likely to get the job, so I started to prepare,” Adam said. “Retaining the local talent was our priority, but we were also aware we had some talent to replace, so we were really thorough in how we went about it.”

Fowkes, a former Wandin premiership player and century goalkicker; Gorringe, a 200cm ruckman with 26 games AFL experience at Gold Coast and Carlton; and Alex O’Reilly, “a great centre half-back from Stanhope”, will go a long way to filling the gaps left.

The Bulldogs, however, will need to wait a little longer before securing Gorringe, with clearance applications blocked earlier this week.

“I can’t really comment,” Adam said. “We’re just going through the processes.”

This year, with AFL Yarra Ranges and the South-East Football Netball League joining forces to create the AFL Outer-East, there’s an added air of excitement about the pre-season.

“It was a little bit of an unknown,” Adam said. “But I couldn’t be happier with how the whole club has embraced it. I think it will be extremely exciting. It will be a big challenge, there’s four very good football clubs coming across (to the Premier Division).”

Adam said taking on some of the SEFNL giants — including Cranbourne, Berwick, Narre Warren and Beaconsfield — will encourage players to take their games to the next level.

“Historically, we’d find when players got to 18 or 19 they’d leave and go to the EFL if they wanted to test themselves,” he said.

“I don’t think that will be as big anymore. I think the mindset (of embracing the new competition) will only grow.”