EDFL 2021: Rupertswood says Brett Chambers never retired

He was listed as an out and played a practice match for a rival club, but the key defender took the field for Rupertswood in Round 1.

Brett Chambers is an important leader for Rupertswood. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Rupertswood says Brett Chambers never departed.

The experienced defender was listed among the Essendon District Football League’s newest club’s outs during the off-season after the club communicated he had retired.

There was speculation Chambers had switched clubs when he stepped out for Lancefield in a practice match.

But president Brad Pietromonaco said on Thursday Chambers played that game “to help out his boss”.

The former co-captain, who featured in the Sharks 2019 Riddell District league flag, took the field in the EDFL in the opening round as his team went down to Airport West.

While Pietromonaco insisted Chambers had not left at any stage, his presence will be invaluable for a new-look line-up under first-year coach Arron Bray.

Rupertswood lost Todd Podolczak (retired), Billy Cannolo (Deer Park), Dean Putt (Nullawil), Nick Grigg (East Keilor), Matthew Knight (Strathmore), Jake Sutton (Sunbury Lions), John Barnard and Leigh Wellington (both Murchison-Toolamba) from its RDFL flag-winning side, while Jackson Berry (university) will be absent for at least part of the campaign.

“We’ve gone through a big transition stage,” Pietromonaco said.

“We’ve got a very young, quick group and they need guidance.

“All the old boys are going to help them out.”

The Sharks were overrun in the season opener, conceding four unanswered goals in the final term as Airport West took advantage of the wind to record a 15-point victory, 8.17 (65) to 7.8 (50).

Jesse Harris, Jackson Pranauskas and Patrick Scanlon led the way for the losing side, while Bryce Caldone bagged three majors.

“It was probably an eye-opener for the club to see where we’ve got to be at,” Pietromonaco said.

“The 18s and reserves had good win. Seniors, you can’t afford to drop your guard.

“We know where we went wrong and hopefully we can learn from that. It’s very positive.”

While the Sharks were expected to be among the leading flag contenders after their success in the RDFL two years ago, the long list of departures has cooled expectations.

But Pietromonaco said the club would only get better in coming weeks as it adjusts to life in the EDFL.

“It’s probably going to take us six or seven weeks for the young blokes to jell with the older blokes and our game plan to work,” he said.

“Hopefully by then we’ve got a few wins under our belts and can consolidate.

“It’s just going to be a learning curve for the future of the club … we’re not going to be world-beaters and we don’t want to lose every game either.”

Rupertswood will face Westmeadows at home on Saturday, with both clubs chasing their first win for 2021.