Pascoe Vale bolsters its midfield with ex-AFL onballer, plus two ‘recruits’
Pascoe Vale has strengthened its midfield as it looks to contend for the EDFL Premier Division crown with a former AFL onballer and two “recruits”.
Essendon
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Pascoe Vale has made a big splash on the recruiting market, luring junior and former AFL midfielder Paul Ahern back full-time.
Ahern will be an invaluable one-point player in his return to Raeburn Reserve after five years in the AFL system.
The No.7 pick in the 2014 draft spent 2021 in the VFL with the Northern Bullants, averaging 16 disposals, three tackles and kicking 10 goals in nine matches.
Ahern is a significant addition as the Panthers look to jump back into the EDFL Premier Division top four in 2022.
However, Panthers coach Digby Morrell was most looking forward to seeing Ahern’s connection with his teammates.
“He played his junior footy with Pascoe Vale and a lot of the guys he came through with are now playing in the seniors,” Morrell said.
“When he wasn’t playing with the Bullants he was back watching us and sitting on the sidelines with his mates who played in the reserves.
“He had a good year with the Bullants in a tough environment for the VFL this season.
“We’re pumped to have him as an excellent footballer but we know he’s going to roll into our group and fit our expectations.”
Already boasting the likes of Liam Ogden, Premier Division’s leading goalkicker Matthew Watson and Matt Stillman, the Panthers will also be bolstered by two “recruits”.
Sam Godden and Uzgur Uysal have signed for 2022, further strengthening Pascoe Vale’s midfield depth.
Godden, a former NT Thunder and Glenelg ball-winner, signed for the Panthers in 2020 but injured his knee surfing and missed the 2021 season.
Uysal, who has VFL experience at Coburg and Essendon and is a Northern Division 1 premiership player at West Preston-Lakeside, signed for the club this year but didn’t play a game.
“We were really looking forward to seeing Sammy go about his work this year but unfortunately did his knee surfing,” Morrell said.
“His toughness inside and real gut running will complement Paul’s outside skills and ball carrying.
“Sammy is a real character too and will bring a real zest to our group, which will hold us in good stead because we do have some quieter players.
“Ozgur is really well connected with a lot of our boys through Greenvale and Coburg.
“He’s missed a bit of footy over the past 18 months but he’s got that motivation and drive to compete.
“The bonus for us is what he brings as a leader and what he brings in big-time performance, we think that’s going to support our group to get to the highest level.”
Pascoe Vale finished fifth this season, in a COVID-shortened 12-game campaign.
The Panthers played finals in 2019 and will be looking to make a swift return in 2022.
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Morrell said the majority of the playing group had already signed up and was looking forward to the chance to begin pre-season.
“We’re in a really good spot because I think our guys really enjoy our environment and they can see some success around the corner,” he said.
“Our midfield batted really deep last year and we were confident going into each game but (Ahern, Godden and Uysal) are going to add to that.
“It will allow us to be a little bit more aggressive in the way we play and teams will have to put more time and effort into us.”
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