EDFL: Lockie Rayner set for VFL shot with Brisbane Lions

An East Keilor rising star will move north to pursue a VFL opportunity with an AFL club while the Cougars have added another former state league talent.

One of East Keilor’s most promising talents is heading north.

Lockie Rayner is set to link up with the Brisbane Lions VFL team for the 2023 season.

The Cougars confirmed the news on their social media channels on Friday morning in a move which will see him move closer to his brother, Cam.

“It is an offer he couldn’t refuse,” the club said.

“Go get them champion.”

Rayner has spent the past two seasons at Overland Reserve after coming through Hillside’s junior program.

He made a seamless transition to Premier Division footy in 2022 playing 13 games and being named in the best on seven occasions.

He also played two VFL games for Essendon early in the season.

The Cougars have also unveiled their first recruit of the off-season with former VFL player Jacob Brown arriving at the club.

In the past few years, Brown has starred for East Point in the Ballarat League and was an interleague representative as recently as 2019.

Brown spent time on Essendon’s VFL list in 2019 playing seven games.

“We are excited to welcome Jacob to Overland Reserve and can't wait to see what he can do for us in 2023,” East Keilor said.

Jacob Brown. Photo: AFL Photos.

COUGARS UNPHASED BY OUTSIDE NOISE

East Keilor isn’t phased by any noise regarding its sudden change to its coaching structure.

The Cougars last week dropped a bombshell when it confirmed Tim Bongetti had been stood down as senior coach just a matter of weeks after re-signing for the 2023 season.

But the Essendon District league Premier Division club has quickly moved to find his replacement.

They’ve turned to Rocky Iannello, a former development coach with the Calder Cannons.

Iannello will be the club’s head of football and senior mentor at the same time.

Club president Pat Christofi explained the reasoning for the switch.

“The decision wasn’t based on a win-loss record, coaching is so much more than that. We’ve gone with what we think is best for our footy club, our playing group,” he said.

“I don’t care what the general public think (of the decision, as president) I need to make the right calls for our organisation.

“This wasn’t a decision based around the individual, there’s more to it. Good clubs succeed from hard decisions.

“Bongo (Tim Bongetti) is a beautiful person and a great mate.”

Pat Christofi.

Iannello was already right under East Keilor’s noses having led the Cougars’ under 14s to a minor premiership this season.

Christofi said he was impressed with Iannello’s local football CV which includes over a decade at St Bernard’s in the VAFA.

There he worked with the senior team and under 19s.

“I’m very stoked and wrapped I’ve been able to get Rocky to take on this position,” he said.

“It was a no-brainer for me to bring Rocky in. I had been trying to get him in as a head of football for the last few months.

“And when I sat down to have the conversation with him about being our senior coach, it made a lot of sense.

“He has a wonderful amount of experience which will be fantastic for our football club. He will be taking care of the entire football program, from seniors to juniors.

“It’s a big job but I’ve got no doubt he is the right person to take us forward.”

Iannello has previously coached the Cougars, over 20 years ago during the 2000 and 2001 seasons.

“They are very different situations (to where the club finds itself now),” Christofi said.

“Now he’s got a high quality playing list in Premier Division which is continuing to improve. The experience he has had over the years is going to hold him in good stead.

“He’s got the runs on the board to be successful with this group.”