Andrew Tranquilli, Jake Wild bolster Diamond Creek’s promotion hopes
Diamond Creek’s bid to end its run of finals near-misses has got off to a flying start with newly-appointed coach Andrew Tranquilli securing Jake Wild from Ovens and Murray powerhouse Yarrawonga.
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Newly-appointed Diamond Creek coach Andrew Tranquilli has wasted no time securing his first recruit of the off-season.
Big-bodied midfielder Jake Wild has signed on from Ovens and Murray powerhouse Yarrawonga for 2020, joining his brother Mitch at Coventry Oval.
Wild played 15 games for the Pigeons this season and can play through the middle or hold down a key position post in defence.
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“He was a pretty strong player (in the O&M) playing a combination of midfield roles as well as key position, so he’ll provide good flexibility for us,” Tranquilli said.
“We’ve got Mitch Wild already playing for us, Jake’s work brought him to Melbourne, so the planets aligned and it was a no-brainer knowing he’s already got family at the club.”
Tranquilli takes over the NFL Division 2 coaching reins from Craig Hayes, who stepped down after five years at the helm.
The former Collingwood player will get his first taste of the Northern Football League having spent seven years — winning two premierships — at Eastern Football League club Doncaster before a year off this season.
With a strong junior pathway, Tranquilli believed player retention was more important than splashing out on a host of big name recruits.
“Don’t get me wrong we’d love to sign some quality players but I think we’re in a position where we can be selective in who we chase rather than chase for the sake of chasing,” he said.
The Creekers are looking to break back into the finals in 2020 after finishing fifth in the past two years by the barest of margins.
A shock penultimate-round loss to St Mary’s ended the club’s finals hopes but Tranquilli was confident the talent was there to once again battle for promotion.
“I know what the expectations are, I know how strong (Division 2) is in personnel, so we’ve definitely got our work cut out for us,” he said.
“Credit to Craig Hayes, he’s rejuvenated the list from 2017, building the next wave (of talent).
“The (premiership) window is still open, I think that’s the biggest thing over the summer is re-engaging the belief we can go one-step further.”
Star onballer Jacob Booth finished equal fourth in the Division 2 league best-and-fairest and was selected on a wing in the Team of the Year.
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