EDFL 2019: Moonee Valley makes key signings for Division 2 season

Moonee Valley is buzzing again. After a walkout six weeks ago left the club a little nervous about its status as an EDFL Division 2 flag contender, the Fog have swiftly reloaded.

Rocky Ferraro is one of the big signings at Moonee Valley. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Bang. Moonee Valley is buzzing again.

After a walkout six weeks ago left the club a little nervous about its status as an EDFL Division 2 flag contender, the Fog have swiftly reloaded.

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Former Valley junior Luke Ryan has put pen to paper after playing a key role in Airport West’s Division 1 premiership in 2018, finishing equal third in the Hutchison Medal and earning seven mentions in the best from 18 games.

His brother, Robert, has also returned and is tipped to make a big impact after being hampered by a calf injury last year.

The midfielders will be one-point players in another bonus for the Fog.

“The thing that’s struck me most about Luke is his professionalism,” coach Shanon Carroll said.

“He’s probably on an even par with (playing assistant coach) Cory McGrath.

“He’s just so set in the way he goes about things, even to the point that between running and ball work he will change the type of shoe he wears.

“I know he was talking to another club and we had our fingers crossed and did everything possible.

“I think the prospect of playing with his brother with some success before they finally retired persuaded him over the line in the end.”

Moonee Valley coach Shanon Carroll calls the shots. Picture: Josie Hayden

Gun forward Rocky Ferraro, who kicked 60 goals for Northern Saints last season, has also crossed to Moonee Valley.

Ex-AFL player David Clarke (Healesville), Jonathan Mullins (Therry Penola), Cameron Cobby (East Perth under-18s) and Anthony Velicki (Lalor) are other arrivals.

“Mullins is a superb get. He’s just so calm and collected down back and structures things up really well,” Carroll said.

Michael O’Donoghue has taken up an assistant coaching role at Brunswick, with Patrick O’Donoghue, Jacob Adkins, Jordan Adkins, Matthew Brown, Sean Gales and David Royle following him to the VAFA club.

Jacob Lumsden has also exited because of overseas travel.

Moonee Valley was eliminated by eventual runner-up East Sunbury in the opening week of finals last season.

“I wish them (departing players) all the best, but I’m really, really excited with the quality of personnel we’ve brought into the club,” Carroll said.

“It’s really got a bit of a buzz going around the club again now.

“Barring seven injuries in the first half of the last game of the season last year, we’re right amongst it.

“A couple of games by two points we dropped, we would have been playing in a second semi-final if we won those.

“It’s hurt a few, missing out last year, and there’s still a bit of talk about it.

“But there’s definitely some training with some passion and intensity at the moment, which is really exciting.”