EFL 2018: Knox busy re-signing its list as the Falcons prepare for relegation

WINLESS Knox has re-signed more than half its playing list for 2019 as the Falcons prepare for their second relegation in three years.

Mitch Greaves in action during last year’s Division 2 grand final. Picture: David Smith/AAP

KNOX has re-signed more than half its playing list for 2019 as the Falcons prepare for their second relegation in three years.

Co-captain Marcus Jordan and fellow 2017 premiership players Ryan Johnson, Stephen Aiello, Jesse Plostins, Ash Black, Mitch Greaves, Jack Beech and Ethan Murray have all put pen to paper at Argyle Way.

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Former junior players Lucas Woodward and Murray Edwards have also signed for next year.

Knox coach David Madigan said the Falcons wanted to be proactive in re-signing its players.

“We’ve signed well over half the guys that have played senior footy this year so it is a good start,” Madigan said.

Stephen Aiello celebrates last year’s grand final win. Picture: David Smith/AAP

“To be honest, there’s been a couple of clubs that have made it pretty clear they were going to target some of our players so we wanted to get on the front foot and maybe throw a few grenades back the other way.

“We haven’t been great at it (re-signing) in the past, we’ve probably been a little bit hesitant and reactive.

“We’ll be a pretty young list again for next year, there’ll be opportunities so we want to be having those conversations sooner rather than later, not just with our guys but other guys who are interested in having a crack at Knox.”

Knox made an immediate return to the top flight this year after being demoted from Division 1 in 2016.

But the Falcons are winless after the first 14 rounds and are looking to avoid being the first team to go without a win in a Division 1 season since Donvale in 2008.

Woodward, Tom Walton, Liam Anson, Matt Stein and Jarrod Fisher are among those to have been blooded in the senior ranks this year.

“Two years ago we were able to expose some young guys to senior football that were probably ahead of time,” Madigan said.

“Last year those guys took great benefit from that and went on to be really good footballers at senior level and win a Division 2 premiership.

“There has been a number of guys that have got a lot of game time that we think are going to be terrific long-term players for the football club and at the age of 18, 19, have been on a steep learning curve that history says will serve them well when they go down a division.”