Balwyn signs former Gold Coast and Collingwood defender Henry Schade
BALWYN has landed another recruiting coup in the Eastern Football League as it looks to erase the disappointment of this year’s straight sets finals exit.
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BALWYN will have not one, but two, former Gold Coast Suns players on its list next year.
Key defender Henry Schade signed with the Tigers last week following his recent delisting from Collingwood, joining former Suns teammate Daniel Gorringe at Cherry Rd in 2018.
Former North Melbourne listed player Ayden Kennedy has also put pen to paper at Balwyn from Box Hill and will add further versatility to the Tigers’ backline.
“That shores up our backline for us because with Tom Simpkin moving on and Rod Crowe and John Milhuisen retiring in past years, it’s a couple of good backmen to have with (Kris) Pendlebury,” Balwyn football director Paul Johnson said.
Schade kept Sydney superstar Lance Franklin goalless in Collingwood’s Round 3 one-point win over the Swans but did not play another AFL game after Round 9, dropped to the VFL for the second half of the season.
“He is a great pick up for us and probably a future captain, he’s only 23 or 24 and really good style of a lad,” Johnson said.
“After we met him on the Monday, I just said to (coach) Marty (Pask) that he fits right in with us.
“We signed him within 48 hours and he had other clubs chasing him but he made his decision that he wanted to be at Balwyn and we’re rapt.”
Schade was selected by Gold Coast in the 2011 draft and played 20 games at the Suns before being rookie-listed by Collingwood at the end of last year.
He played a further eight AFL games at the Magpies but was delisted in October.
Balwyn announced last month it had signed former top-10 draft pick Gorringe, Chandler medallist Cameron Manuel, Team of the Year forward Charlie Haley and Tasmanian Liam Smith.
Johnson also indicated star forward Danny Hughes may continue his playing career next year.
“He wasn’t that happy with his finals form but having a bit of a break and we’ve told him not to worry about training before Christmas, he is pretty keen to go again,” he said.
“He has only just turned 30 so it’s not like he is over the hill.”
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