EDFL: East Keilor signs Matt Dennis among 17 new recruits
East Keilor has secured arguably its biggest recruit of the off-season with a four-time league best-and-fairest joining the club among 16 other signings. See them all.
Essendon
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East Keilor has made its biggest statement of the off-season yet.
The rising Essendon District league club has signed four-time league best-and-fairest Matt Dennis, formerly of Bundoora, for the 2023 season.
His arrival comes just over a week after the arrival of Ben Silvagni, the son of Carlton legend Stephen.
Dennis, one of local footy’s best ruckman of the past decade, boasts an impressive resume which includes five premierships, seven club best-and-fairests, 10 team of the year selections and nine interleague jumpers.
Cougars president Pat Christofi couldn’t have spoken more highly of his club’s latest.
“We think we’ll have two of, if not the best two, ruckman in Premier Division,” he said.
“We’re excited about the partnership Matt and Chris Stewart are going to develop throughout next season. Those guys along with Heath Shaw and Marc Lock are going to bring fantastic experience to our group.
“We’ve changed tact a little this off-season with a new coaching set up, I’m a big advocate for having experience on the field.
“Matt will be a fantastic addition to our group.”
Since Rocky Iannello’s appointment the Cougars have unveiled a large number of recruits but there’s been a different approach ahead of the 2023 season.
They've aimed to go for a much younger demographic.
“Rocky has been a breath of fresh air for the club,” Christofi said.
“He’s been around the game for a long time so he’s been able to attract a lot of fresh faces he has previously been associated with.
“Our aim is to get to a point where we’re playing with 26, 27 points and that’s why we’ve targeted younger players. It’s important we continue developing our younger players over the coming years.
“We’re looking at fielding a thirds and under 18s side next season which is really exciting. This will add to the depth of our senior group.
“I’m pleased with the progress we’ve been making as a club.”
While the senior program continues to grow, Christofi revealed the club had welcomed a significant number of juniors for next season.
“There’s up to 40 new players coming to our club,” he said.
“The juniors are our main priority, then our next goal will be to continue building our girls program.
“I believe it’s important to establish each part of your club in sections, nothing just happens overnight.”
EAST KEILOR’S 2023 RECRUITS
Jack Evans
Cooper Bond
Carlo Riccardi
Tom Rowland
Gabriel Loukomitis
Daniel McNaughton
Anthony Tashevski-Bechwith
Marc Coscarella
Jackson Pellegrino
Jack Cackett
Michael Commisso
Ben Silvagni
Nicholas Kerr
Joseph Genoese
Matthew Scarpino
Lachlan Papley
Matt Dennis
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