Bendigo FL 2019: Gisborne signs tough midfielder Brad Bernacki from East Sunbury

Gisborne coach Clinton Young has acknowledged expectations will be sky high next year after the club’s fruitful off-season.

Brad Bernacki weaves through traffic for Calder Cannons in the TAC Cup.

Gisborne coach Clinton Young has acknowledged expectations will be sky high next year after the club’s fruitful off-season.

The Dogs announced the signing of East Sunbury midfielder and former Calder Cannons captain Brad Bernacki on Friday, adding to the bevy of talent which has arrived at Gardiner Reserve.

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The tenacious on-baller joins AFL-listed forward Pat McKenna, key defender Tim Walsh, midfielders Scott Walsh (Riddell) and Casey Summerfield (Macedon) and Essendon VFL backman James Ferry as additions to Gisborne’s senior squad.

“We definitely have our intentions of being right up there next year,” Young said.

“We are not going to hide away from that and want to make sure we set ourselves up during pre-season and give ourselves the best chance to have a good year.

“Last (season) we made a fair bit of ground on the better teams and we are looking to do that again next year.”

Bernacki played 15 games for the Thunder this year, including the Essendon District league Division 2 grand final.

Brad Bernacki at the final siren of this year’s EDFL Division 2 grand final.

He was also on Coburg’s VFL list, featuring six times in the state league.

The Robert Hyde medallist and Morrish Medal runner-up will add further depth to one of the Bendigo Football League’s most dynamic midfields.

Bernacki will join players such as Matt Goodyear, Ethan Minns, Summerfield, Walsh and Young in a high-quality on-ball brigade.

“Our midfield depth is really good and I think Brad will be another great addition,” Young said.

“I’ve heard the reports about him being a fearless player and a contested player. I am looking forward to seeing him play for Gisborne.”

The Dogs qualified for finals for the first time since 2014 this season, bowing out in an elimination final against Sandhurst.

Optimism has been building since the return of Summerfield, Scott Walsh and Tim Walsh was announced.

Another gun signing for @GisborneFNC, with ex-Calder Cannons skipper & b&f Brad Bernacki locked in for 2019. Tough on-baller who will provide extra grunt to the Dogs engine room.

— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) November 30, 2018

Ex-GWS and Melbourne forward McKenna will be a one-point player at his junior club, while Ferry was considered one of the VFL’s premier key defenders.

Young said Gisborne’s senior squad was “just about finalised”.

“We’re already three weeks into pre-season, the numbers have been great and the boys are really keen for it,” he said.

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