Cranbourne champion Marc Holt has joined MPNFL club Karingal

LEGENDARY Cranbourne goalkicker Marc Holt is on the move, joining MPNFL club Karingal.

WHAT a boost for Karingal. What a blow for Cranbourne.

The Bulls confirmed today that they had signed champion Cranny goalkicker Marc Holt for the 2019 MPNFL Division 1 season.

Holt hijacked local football headlines this year when he booted his 1000th goal for the Eagles.

The burly right-footer has played all his senior football at Cranny and won a truckload of awards in the South East (formerly Casey Cardinia) league.

Marc Holt during the match in which he kicked his 1000th goal.

Eagles coach Steve O’Brien said the club had been aware for some time that Holt was on the move.

“We’ve known for a while that if we didn’t get into the MPNFL he was unlikely to go again,’’ he said.

“Once that issue of where the club would be heading was resolved (Cranbourne is joining the new AFL Outer East), it was pretty much done. He lives down that way (Seaford). We fully respect his decision.’’

O’Brien said as much as he was disappointed to lose the champion forward, Holt had given the club “enormous’’ service.

“I only coached him for the one year, but he tormented me for many years as an opposition coach,’’ he said.

“He’s been a wonderful contributor to the club … 1000 goals says it all.

“As I said when he kicked his 1000th, people from the outside probably think it must be a fair bit about him, that he must be a selfish player.

“It’s the absolute opposite. He’s the most selfless bloke I’ve probably come across in all my footy.

“Everything he does is always for the club and for the team first. He’s given all he can, mate. He can’t give any more. It’s time for other people to pick up that mantle and carry that baton.’’

O’Brien said he expected Holt to be a formidable player in the MPNFL.

The Eagles have suffered other losses, with Troy Tharle and Nathan Gardiner joining Cora Lynn and Zok Roscoe crossing to Noble Park.

O’Brien said Cranbourne was chasing recruits and was speaking to two VFL players.

Karingal is also expected to sign Rowville star Matt Robinson.