Alex Fasolo and Ben Kennedy fitting in nicely at Montmorency
Montmorency coach Garry Ramsay says new recruits Alex Fasolo and Ben Kennedy are already part of the fabric at Para Road as expectations for 2020 rise at the Magpies.
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Montmorency coach Garry Ramsay is thrilled by ex-AFL recruits Ben Kennedy and Alex Fasolo’s transition to life at Para Road.
The big-name recruits have wasted no time impressing their new teammates, taking pre-season training to a new level.
Kennedy returns to the NFL Division 1 club after a season with VFL heavyweight Williamstown, which saw him feature in the Seagulls’ grand final side.
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Fasolo arrives at Montmorency Park after retiring from the AFL after a career which took in 104 games and 135 goals.
“They’ve been extremely enthusiastic on the training tack,” Ramsay said.
“Ben and Alex have really embraced the place, and already earnt the fellas’ respect with their work ethic.”
Montmorency returned to finals last season after a four-year absence, falling to eventual premier West Preston-Lakeside in the elimination final.
Adding the close friends to a list that boasts Team of the Year stars Jai Robinson, Patrick Fitzgerald and Jesse Donaldson has only heightened external expectations.
However, Ramsay said expectations were always high during pre-season.
“It’s always a good time of year when you haven’t had a game and you’re still undefeated,” he said.
“There’s a real air of enthusiasm around the place and I would expect that all three grades would improve from last year’s performances.
“I think we’re a fair bit more advanced than we were last year — the understanding of the gameplan, more senior games into the young kids.
“I think we played 13 under-19s last year and six or seven played in the final, so with their improvement as well as a couple of other improvements, the expectations would have to be to finish higher than fifth.”
Fasolo will be joined by his brother Lewis in black and white as he returns from living in America.
“Lewis had been living in New York, he played in a competition over in America, so he might be a bit rusty to start,” Ramsay said.
“He’ll take a little bit of time to find his straps but he’s going well.”
Montmorency has locked in two pre-season hit-outs against Airport West (March 15) and North Ringwood (March 28) with a third yet to be confirmed.
The Magpies will kick off the NFL season with a Friday night clash against Northcote Park under lights at Bill Lawry Oval on April 3.
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