EDFL: Westmeadows secures five big signings for 2020
After securing a finals appearance in a much-improved season, Westmeadows have set their sights on becoming a destination club after bolstering their senior squad.
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Westmeadows have made five key additions for 2020 and declared their ambitions to become a destination club.
The Tigers were big improvers in EDFL Division 1 this year and qualified for finals after claiming just three wins the previous season.
New coach Mo Kaakour said Westmeadows had taken a targeted approach to their recruiting and looked for long-term players.
“We’re building. We’ve got a lot of young kids and our under-19s have played in the last three grand finals and won two,” Kaakour said.
“We’re trying to make it a destination club.
“As well as us chasing players, we’re getting calls from outside as well, so there’s a lot of interest from people wanting to know what Westmeadows is about. It’s a good place to be.”
Essendon Doutta Stars and Airport West premiership player George Nabbout headlines the arrivals.
Nabbout made 18 appearances for the Eagles in Premier Division this season and was named in his side’s best eight times.
“He comes across as a key on-baller for us,” Kaakour said.
“He’s just that strong-bodied mid who can win contested footy.”
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Former Williamstown VFL-listed player and Greenvale product Jayden Ranno has also signed on after one year at Airport West and can fill a role across the half-back flank or wing.
Belal Abou-Eid has joined from WRFL Division 1 club Sunshine and is set to replace the retired Daniel Callegari in defence.
Abou-Eid has played 74 games for the Kangaroos since the start of 2016 and looms as an important inclusion.
“We needed someone down back with that bigger body with Daniel retiring,” Kaakour said.
Ruckman Ferris Merhi, who has been a member of premiership sides at Roxburgh Park, Hadfield and West Coburg, has put pen to paper.
Kaakour said the veteran was still capable of playing a prominent role at senior level.
“Being a side that’s got a lot of young kids, he brings great experience,” he said.
Talented youngster Aaron Vendramini has also crossed from Craigieburn and Kaakour was excited to secure the line-breaking half-back/wingman.
Vendramini had an injury-interrupted season and managed just two senior games but played 14 matches for the Eagles in the top flight in 2017.
Several Division 1 clubs have recruited strongly, setting the stage for an enthralling season.
“The competition has improved over the last five years,” Kaakour said.
“There’s quality coming into the competition.
“We want to test ourselves against the best and we’re looking forward to it.”
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