EDFL 2020: Essendon Doutta Stars make key additions to forward line
Kyle Hardingham’s Essendon Doutta Stars are likely to cause more headaches for opposition defences this season, with the EDFL club making significant additions to its attacking half.
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Essendon Doutta Stars’ firepower in the attacking half has received a significant boost with the signings of two young guns.
Stars coach Kyle Hardingham declared it a “successful off-season” for the EDFL Premier Division club after securing dual Aberfeldie premiership player James Peters and Airport West flag winner Ned Gentile.
Peters has kicked 40 goals in the past two seasons for Abers and was awarded Essendon VFL’s best first-year player three years ago, while Calder Cannons’ joint best-and-fairest Gentile last played for the Stars in 2017.
Hardingham said the success Peters enjoyed at one of the competition’s leading clubs was an appealing factor.
“He’s got that flair and excitement, but also very skilful and has that pace,” Hardingham said.
“That was one thing we identified – we need to keep bringing the pace in to use our ground to our advantage. He ticks that box.
“He was close to being drafted a couple of years ago.
“I see him as very valuable to our side, but I feel we can help him develop even further. Hopefully down the track he revisits that VFL life because I think he’s got the talent and the opportunity there if he decides to go down that pathway.”
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Gentile was named in Calder’s best players 12 times from 18 NAB League games this season and booted 15 goals.
He featured in Airport West’s Division 1 premiership side in 2018 under Geoff Maddern, who has joined Hardingham’s coaching panel.
“We’re crying out for more of those goalkickers that have a natural sense for goals,” Hardingham said.
“He’ll slot nicely into our forward line and give us some pace and energy.”
Former VFL forward Alex Boyse only played eight matches for the Stars in last season because of injury, while Footscray premiership player Mitch Jensen returned from a stint at Romsey in July.
Karl Brown was also absent after suffering a serious knee injury during pre-season, while Matthew D’Angelo has crossed from Northern Saints.
“We put together a bit of a hit-list at the end of last year of what we thought we required to bridge the gap between us and the top four, and I feel like so far we’ve done that with the recruits we’ve managed to get,” Hardingham said.
The club’s midfield has received an injection of class, with VFL-listed Bomber Liam McKenna joining as an aligned player.
“He helps with the maturity around the group and lifting the standards,” Hardingham said.
The former AFL high-flyer is also hopeful the Stars will land the services of another Essendon state league-listed player, Dylan Landt, whose two attempts to move from Ballarat league outfit Sunbury were denied in November. Clearances will re-open on February 1.
The Stars have lost best-and-fairest winner Charles Lill (Old Melburnians) and Jordan Angus (travel).
Hardingham conceded both were big losses as the Stars chase someone to deliver Lill’s “intercept marking” and “overlap run” in defence and a No.1 big man.
“But I feel like we are getting some momentum with the recruits we’ve got and someone will be able to try and replace what he gave us,” he said.
The Stars, who finished seventh with a 5-13 record last season, will face Pascoe Vale in the opening round on April 4.
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