Coburg Target 1000: AFL trio Michael Hartley, Luke Ryan and Robbie Fox back VFL club’s push to sign 1000 members for 2019

A trio of AFL players drafted from Coburg have thrown their weight behind the cash-strapped club’s campaign to reach 1000 members for 2019. JOIN THE FIGHT HERE

Michael Hartley has backed Coburg’s push for more members. Picture: Michael Klein.

A trio of AFL players drafted from Coburg have thrown their weight behind the club’s efforts to reach 1000 members for 2019.

Fremantle defender Luke Ryan, Essendon backman Michael Hartley and Sydney forward Robbie Fox have backed Moreland Leader’s ‘Target 1000’ campaign, which is being run in conjunction with Coburg Football Club.

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The Lions increased their membership numbers from 280 in 2017 to 685 last season.

Hartley, who featured for Coburg during the 2014 and 2015 VFL campaigns, urged the community to back the stand-alone club.

The key defender was one of the state league’s standout defenders during his two seasons at Coburg City Oval, earning a second chance at AFL level after previously being rookie-listed by Collingwood.

“There’s AFL talent there,” Hartley said.

“You have just got to back them in, get there and support them.

“They might not win as many games as others, but they will definitely be having a crack.

“Show a bit of love to them and they will give a bit back.

“They’re a good club with good people.”

Hartley, who joined the Bombers in the 2015 national draft, said he was indebted to Coburg for throwing him a football lifeline.

“I was lucky enough to play every week and play on some of the biggest and best forwards in the VFL,” he said.

“That was a lot of fun for me. If I played well against them, I was giving myself a good chance to get drafted again and obviously it happened.

“Without Coburg I wouldn’t have got drafted again, so I am very thankful for that.”

Luke Ryan rocketed onto the radar of AFL clubs after impressing with Coburg.

Luke Ryan kicks a goal for Fremantle. Picture: Michael Klein

Ryan was invited to trial with Coburg after he was cut by Essendon after spending a VFL pre-season with the Bombers.

In 10 games as an intercept defender, Ryan rocketed onto the radar of AFL clubs and was chosen by the Dockers at pick No. 66 in the 2016 national draft.

“When we had big crowds down at Coburg, it was really loud,” Ryan said.

“You can hear every word they are saying because they are that close to the ground.

“It really got the boys up and about. It was like having another man on the field.

“It was really good when the supporters came down to watch and sat down on those wooden chairs right next to the fence.”

Ryan said Coburg was a VFL club with “a local footy feel”.

“The more supporters there, the better footy the boys will be playing with the money behind the club to help the boys out,” he said.

The 23-year-old said he would likely be working as a carpenter and playing in the Essendon District Football League with Maribyrnong Park had he not joined Coburg.

“I don’t know what I would have done, actually, to be honest,” he said.

“It would have been a bit different to what I am doing now.”

Robbie Fox impressed in the VFL while playing for Coburg.

Robbie Fox on the burst for Sydney last year. Picture: Phil Hillyard.

Fox, who played 13 games for Coburg in 2016, said the atmosphere at Coburg fixtures was a drawcard.

“You just want to support a club that has been around in the VFL for many, many years,” Fox said.

“Get down to the games, it’s heaps of fun.

“My uncle comes over from Tassie a fair bit and he was amazed how fun and family-friendly the games were.

“You’re watching quality footy and at the same time there’s kids activities, you can really interact with the players and coaches and it’s a really good environment and day out really.”

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Adam Saad sets off on a run for Coburg. Picture: Steve Tanner

Adam Saad charges away from Richmond’s Shane Edwards. Picture: Michael Klein

Fox was urged to test himself at state league level for two years by then Lions coach Peter German before he relented and crossed from Aberfeldie.

“He thought I had a bit of potential,” Fox said.

“It was the year Matt Priddis won the Brownlow and Priddis gave Peter German a massive wrap, about how Germo used to coach him at Subiaco and got him started.

“When that happened, dad got on the phone to me and said, ‘look at what Germo is doing. You’d be crazy not to give this an opportunity’.”

Ryan, Hartley, Robbie Fox and Adam Saad (Essendon) are the current AFL players who were drafted after impressing with Coburg.

As of Wednesday, the Lions had 488 members registered for 2019.

For details of the membership packages available, visit coburgfc.com.au/membership.

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