Moonee Valley welcomes fresh faces ahead of the 2024 season

Moonee Valley has enjoyed a busy off-season with several fresh faces arriving at the club and there is reason to be excited about their impact. Here’s how they fit in.

Andrew Robinson in action for Point Cook in the WRFL. Picture: Local Legends Photography

Moonee Valley coach Ian Denny can see plenty of positives in his club’s off-season recruiting haul.

The Fog have boosted their playing stocks across the summer with several new faces as they look to improve on a 6-12 EDFL Division 1 finish last season.

While Denny is happy with all of his recruits, there is one who stands out above every else — quite literally.

Andrew Robinson, a 6’10” ruckman, will give Denny’s side a different look not just in the middle of the ground but forward of centre.

The pair have an existing connection with Robinson a premiership player under Denny at Point Cook in the WRFL back in 2018.

“He’s an absolute monster,” Denny said.

“Whatever he doesn’t mark, he’s going to bring to ground, I don’t think there’s going to be anyone who beats him in the air. It’s going to give opportunities to our smaller guys around the ground as well which is massive.

“He’s capable of going forward and kicking a goal. Our captain Bevan Newell and him should develop quite a nice partnership. Someone like Costa Detsikas will benefit from having bigger bodies forward of centre as well.”

Moonee Valley has enjoyed a busy off-season.

It won’t just be the tall forwards giving Denny more options to work with in 2024 either.

Anthony Accadia and Michael Diamandis have crossed from PEGS and St Bernard’s respectively while Denny’s son, Luke, joins from Point Cook and has proven himself as a goalkicker at his former club.

“Some of those guys will be able to go into the midfield as well which means we can rest players forward of the footy,” Denny said.

“We’ve got some smart midfielders with good goal sense so they could make a real difference for us.”

Also among the signings is Jason Denny, who joins his father after a stint with Airport West.

Ahmed Dabdoub (West Preston Lakeside), Harry Fry (Aberfeldie), Jai Anderson (Point Cook) and Luke Brock (Old Paradians) are also new faces.

“We’re hoping a couple of the under-18s from last season are able to step up as well,” Denny said.

Moonee Valley opens its season on April 5 against Oak Park.