EDFL: Moonee Valley recruits Jonathan Mullins, David Clarke and Anthony Velicki

Free-wheeling Moonee Valley is hoping off-season efforts to bolster its experience will pay dividends after this year’s Essendon District Football League finals appearance.

Former AFL player David Clarke has landed at Moonee Valley. Picture: Robyn Kuys

FREE-WHEELING Moonee Valley is hoping off-season efforts to bolster its experience will pay dividends after this year’s Essendon District Football League finals appearance.

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Coach Shanon Caroll has identified his team’s approach to tempo football as an area in need of attention after this season’s first-week finals exit in Division 2.

Johnathan Mullins has arrived at Moonee Valley.

The Fog came undone at times “not knowing when to slow the game down when momentum shifts to the opposition”, according to Carroll.

Jonathan Mullins has arrived from Therry Penola, while former AFL player David Clarke (Healesville) and Anthony Velicki (Lalor) have also signed on.

The trio will bring invaluable knowledge to back up Carroll and playing assistant Cory McGrath.

Carroll is particularly excited about the addition of Mullins, who has also had stints with Aberfeldie and Airport West.

“He’s very composed and a very professional sort of person,” Carroll said.

“We’ll most likely play him down back to help out with our young crew.

“He just brings that element of calmness, which we’ve sort of targeted a little bit in our recruiting. We’ve targeted more experience combined with some heavy bodies.

“Being such a young group, the boys do play a very quick brand, and they really enjoy it.”

Clarke, who made 101 appearances for Carlton and Geelong and played alongside McGrath at the Blues, is set to slot into the midfield, while Velicki will give Carroll some flexibility.

“He’s a very solid half-back/midfielder and I’m actually looking forward to seeing how he helps out in the midfield with both Cory and ‘Clarkey’,” Carroll said.

Ned Wilson, who won the 2016 Division 2 league best and fairest, started running last month after suffering a season-ending knee injury in June this year.

The star midfielder was limited to nine appearances for the campaign, which hurt Moonee Valley’s premiership hopes.

“We know how valuable he is and we’re certainly not going to rush him back,” Carroll said.

“He’ll most likely be available just after the halfway mark of next season, depending on his recovery.”

Michael O’Donoghue, James Octigan and Jacob Lumsden have departed the Fog.