EDFL 2021: Maribyrnong Park secures Tom Baravi and Jonah Horo

Top-flight EDFL club Maribyrnong Park has moved closer to completing its list after securing two recruits.

Midfielder Tom Baravi has returned to Maribyrnong Park. Picture: Jamie Morey

Maribyrnong Park’s midfield has received a much-needed injection of experience with the classy Tom Baravi returning to the Essendon District Football League Premier Division club.

Baravi last took the field for the Lions in 2017 before making the switch back to West Coburg for the next two years.

He was set to play for Northcote Park in the Northern league in 2020 before the season was canned amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Baravi finished runner-up in the Hutchison Medal for the best-and-fairest player in EDFL Division 1 in his last season with the Burgers and featured in their 2014 premiership triumph.

Maribyrnong Park football manager Jarrad Carey said the acquisition of Baravi would go some way to easing the loss of former skipper John McKenzie, who has returned to Tasmania.

The big-bodied Baravi will also help provide space for the likes of young guns George Abboud, Matt Gaul and Josh Cole in the middle of the ground.

Maribyrnong Park recruits Tom Baravi and Jonah Horo. Picture: Facebook

“We’re really excited to have Tommy come back,” Carey said.

“He only left (after 2017) because he was going to do some travelling and wasn’t able to commit to Premier Division footy at that stage.

“Given we’re such a young group, we think his experience and leadership is going to be really important for us.

“He’s just a really good footballer. He’s strong, tough, finds the footy really well, so with John McKenzie moving down to Tasmania, we’re hoping Tommy will be able to fill some of the void – both on the field and off it.”

Jonah Horo, who finished joint runner-up in Western Jets’ best-and-fairest in 2019, has also linked up with the Lions.

Horo spent his junior career at West Coburg before making one senior appearance for Strathmore two years ago and is rated a “good long-term prospect”.

“We’ve deliberately targeted a lot of young guys over the past few years and Jonah’s just as talented as anyone we’ve brought in,” Carey said.

“He’s got enormous upside. We’re looking to maybe pop him on a half-back flank and just let the footy come to him and see how he develops.

“He’ll be given every opportunity to play as many senior games as he can.”

Maribyrnong Park has also waved goodbye to Nathan McLellan (Leitchville Gunbower) and Rhys Mutch (relocating to South Australia).

On the plus side, 2020 recruits Nick and Chris Prowse, Mitch Comben, Patrick McCarthy, Cooper Page and Ismail Moussa have re-committed.

The Lions are not expecting to see Jean-Luc Velissaris in the EDFL this year, with Northern Bullants to compete in the expanded 22-team VFL competition.

“As much as it hurts losing JMac and a couple of other boys, we felt some of the players we’ve brought in for 2020 will be really exciting for us,” Carey said.

“It might not come in 2021, but we think over the next few years we’re going to present some pretty big headaches to the league.”

Maribyrnong Park will face Glenroy in Round 1 on April 10.