The new faces set to play a key role for Taylors Lakes in 2024
After a shock run to the preliminary final in 2023, Taylors Lakes looks set to again be a premiership contender next year after an impressive off-season on the recruiting front.
Essendon
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Taylors Lakes coach Steve Burns couldn’t be happier with his side’s recruiting this off-season.
The Lions have welcomed several new recruits into the fold for the 2024 season as they look to go one step further after playing in last year’s EDFL Division 2 preliminary final.
The recruiting drive has been headlined the Ben Weightman, a leading goalkicker in country footy throughout his career, who has arrived from Mt Pleasant in the Heathcote District league.
Burns revealed Weightman would undergo surgery in the coming days but the club was confident he would be ready for the start of the season.
Also among the arrivals is ruckman Brandon Raad from Airport West, where he played eight senior games last season.
“We’ve pretty much got everything we wanted to,” Burns said of his team’s recruiting.
“Ben is going to be a terrific player for us, he gives us a real target inside forward 50. Then you look at Brandon, it’s pretty handy when you can get a guy with Premier Division experience as soon as last season.
“Matt Brown and Vinnie Schiavello have come across as well. They played in Keilor Park’s premiership in 2022 so they’re going to add some vital experience to our group.”
Burns’ side could also feature a former North Footscray trio next season with Connor Roach, Declan Wakefield and Shaun Ujcich all making the move across from the WRFL.
“All of the recruiting has been about adding more competition for spots,” Burns said.
“We think with what we’ve added we’re going to be in a better position. Everything has been building nicely, the boys have come back to training in great condition.
“It looks like we’re going to have a thirds again as well and the under-18s are in a much better position than they were last time this year.”
Burns said the Lions had managed to retain most of the 2023 playing list but had lost ruckman Andrew Gallina and captain Sonny Briz to retirement.
He is also hopeful Aaron Vendramini, who suffered a badly broken leg in the second semi-final against Oak Park, could return late in the season.
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