EDFL: Jesse Davies returns to Craigieburn after stint at Wallan

Craigieburn has secured a recruiting coup with the Essendon District Football League club signing a league best and fairest winner.

PROLIFIC midfielder Jesse Davies will return to Craigieburn next season in a recruiting coup for the Essendon District Football League club.

The 26-year-old has spent the past two years with Riddell District league outfit Wallan and was a member of the Eagles’ Division 1 premiership side in 2016.

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Davies claimed the Bowen Medal for the best and fairest player in the RDFL this season, underlining his ability.

Under AFL Victoria’s player points system, Davies will be classified as a ‘home player’ and allotted one point due to the fact he has played 40 or more games at Craigieburn.

Jesse Davies has made the call to return to Craigieburn after two years at Wallan. Picture: Hamish Blair

“Jesse is a local boy, played all his juniors at Craigieburn and comes back to us as a one-pointer that’s just won a league medal. It doesn’t get much better than that really,” coach Lance Whitnall said.

“You’re grabbing a guy who’s at the top of his game and is a one-pointer.

“That’s the main thing, just getting blokes back who have been around the club for years and want to help the club go further.”

The young Eagles progressed to the preliminary final before being beaten by eventual runner-up Tullamarine.

Davies’ experience will be crucial in the club’s bid to take the next step and regain a spot in Premier Division.

Jesse Davies gets a kick away in the 2016 EDFL Division 1 grand final .Picture: Ian Currie

“Jesse fits my mould perfectly, and that’s why Jesse was my No. 1 target,” Whitnall said.

“He has a strong body and he will complement these kids.

“He plays a similar brand to them, where he’s quick and he can run.”

Whitnall said the club had been in discussions with Davies, who only started playing football about 10 years ago, for “a little while”.

“Jesse has always been around the club,” he said.

“All his mates still play there, so when he wasn’t playing at Wallan or they had a week off he was always down watching us.

“He was also showing interest in the Craigieburn Football Club. It is his home.”

Whitnall, who has coached Glenroy and worked with TAC Cup club Calder Cannons, has replaced Peter Bugden as coach after being football manager this season.