EDFL: East Sunbury star Jorden Braddy training with Aberfeldie

One of the keys in East Sunbury’s run to this year’s grand final is training with an EDFL powerhouse after an eye-catching season.

East Sunbury ruckman Jorden Braddy (right) in action this season. Picture: Jamie Morey

EMERGING East Sunbury ruckman Jorden Braddy is training with powerhouse Aberfeldie after an eye-catching season in the Essendon District Football League.

Braddy played a key role in the Thunder’s run to the Division 2 decider and was influential during its finals campaign.

He made 20 senior appearances, kicking eight goals and earning five mentions in the best.

Premier Division club Aberfeldie is searching for a big man after the retirement of dual premiership player Courtney Johns.

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“He’s wanted to go down and train at a higher-level footy club, and good on him.

Good luck to him and we hope for the best for him,” East Sunbury coach Glenn Hopkins said.

“(This year) he went from being just a ruckman to someone we can play as a key marking forward as well in the finals.

“He’s got some versatility to his game now as well. If things don’t work out down there, he’ll come back to us.”

Hopkins said the Thunder had re-signed “just about the whole list” after losing to Roxburgh Park in the grand final.

East Sunbury is “talking to a lot of players” as it chases a big man and key forward.

“We’re happy with our list from last year,” Hopkins said.

“It’s a young list (with) lots of kids who are really going to improve a lot this year.

“We know we need to top up the list and change the dynamic, but we’re working on that as well. You just can’t keep the same group all the time.

“On the whole, we’ve got a lot of young guys who are eager to improve.

“I’m hoping a full pre-season with me, they’ll really improve.”

East Sunbury coach Glenn Hopkins calls the shots. Picture: Josie Hayden

Hopkins took over midway through the 2018 campaign after Steve Grey resigned from the top job.

He fell narrowly short of steering the club to what would have been a remarkable maiden senior flag as it lost the grand final by a goal in wet conditions.

“We lost and it was the one day we didn’t want condition-wise and we got it. We’ve just got to deal with it and move on,” Hopkins said.

“The important thing is that we all look forward, be positive.”

But Hopkins admitted staying in Division 2 could be a blessing in disguise given the impressive recruiting of some second tier clubs over the off-season.

“Considering the talent that’s coming into Division 1, it’s not a bad thing for us,” he said.

“Our resources aren’t as great as some of the other clubs, so it would’ve been a tough year for us.

“Another year of growing in Division 2 is certainly going to be more beneficial than playing against some of those big, heavy, physical sides in Division 1, who are obviously a little bit better than us.”