EFL 2018: Mitch Honeychurch on Vermont radar as Ryan Mullett returns
A DELISTED AFL midfielder has been linked with Eastern Football League premier Vermont, while a club legend is returning to round out his decorated career.
Local Footy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News.
RYAN Mullett will finish his senior football at the club where he became such a decorated figure in the suburban game.
Mullett, 33, is returning to Vermont, where he won four best and fairests, three league medals and four premierships.
EFL 2018: ROSS RETURNS TO STRENGTHEN PREMIER VERMONT
THE LATEST PLAYER AND COACHING MOVES IN LOCAL FOOTY
JUNIOR CLUB KEEN FOR DELISTED ROO HARTUNG TO RETURN
He also captained the club and was an Eastern league representative.
Possessed with great running ability and skills as sharp as a whetted knife, Mullett transferred to Rye in 2015, winning two best and fairests.
He joined East Malvern last year and collected its best and fairests in 2017 and ’18. If he was to pin all his medals on his chest, the weight of them would cause him to fall flat on his face.
Vermont coach Harmit Singh said Vermont players were chuffed Mullett was returning and supporters would be too.
“I’ve spoken to Ryan a bit in terms of him coming back to the footy club, and I think now the stars aligned with where he’s at,’’ Singh said.
“He’s coming off a really impressive year with East Malvern and he brings great leadership to the table. He can still play some really good footy for us. I know the boys and all the supporters are really excited to have him back.
“He’s super-committed about coming back and working hard over the summer. I think he’ll invest really strongly in the program and hopefully have the team success he’s experienced before at Vermont.’’
The Eagles had previously announced they had regained another of their premiership greats, Robbie Ross.
But as Ross and Mullet return, premiership player Cam Howat retires.
Howat played in the Eagles’ 2016-17 grand final losses before breaking through for premiership success this year.
Coming out of Oakleigh Chargers, his career took in VFL at Box Hill Hawks, 21 AFL games with Richmond and a Woodrow Medal in the VAFA with Old Carey in 2012.
Singh said Howat had a tremendous time in football and was still going strong.
“One of the most professional and driven players I’ve come across,’’ he said.
“Super fit, a beautiful mover and great skills. Good leader too. Leads by example. He spent three years at Vermont and finished off with the premiership medal. He’s still playing pretty good footy. He had some injuries at the start of the year and I just think he felt the time was right. He’s had some great accolades, premierships with Old Carey and now Vermont. I would have loved to convince him to go again but he’s happy with everything he’s achieved.’’
Singh said aside from Howat, Vermont had lost only one other 2018 premiership player, Jordan Collopy, who is heading interstate with work.
He said the club would be “backing in’’ in young players from its reserves and Under 19s.
Meanwhile, Vermont will be keeping a watching brief on its former junior Mitch Honeychurch, who has been delisted by the Western Bulldogs.
Honeychurch has many friends at the Eagles and attends games and functions when he can.
Singh said the club was hoping he would get a second chance at AFL level.
If nothing eventuates for him and he decides to play at Vermont, he would do so as a one-point player.
“I think Mitch would be a good addition to a lot of AFL teams,’’ Singh said. “We’re hoping it turns out well for him.’’
Another former Eagles junior, Daniel Nielson, is also in limbo after being let go by North Melbourne.
MORE LOCAL FOOTY NEWS
PEARCEDALE’S NEW COACH A ‘FOOTY NUT’
Country club lands former AFL assistant as Buddha replacement
Leopold has landed a big name with 13 years of AFL experience to replace dual premiership coach Garry Hocking.
How ex-AFL player fits into Horne’s Moonee Valley plan
New Moonee Valley coach Andrew Horne has outlined his plans for the EDFL club as with the start of his reign bolstered by an ex-AFL player.