EFL 2019: Balwyn building its list ahead of the Eastern Football League season

Balwyn hopes the return of four-time premiership player John Milhuisen will help it make up ground on the Eastern Football League’s frontrunners.

John Milhuisen (left) celebrates the 2016 premiership with Rod Crowe.

Balwyn will enter the Eastern Football League Premier division season needing to make up ground on the competition’s frontrunners if it is to return to the top five.

The Tigers missed finals for the first time in 23 years last season after finishing two games behind fifth-placed Blackburn.

Balwyn last month confirmed the signing of former Sydney forward Xavier Richards but the Tigers will largely rely on a band of suburban recruits if they are to crack a top-five berth in 2019.

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Four-time premiership defender John Milhuisen has also returned to Cherry Rd. Milhuisen played in Balwyn’s 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016 flags but spent last season at VAFA club Old Xaverians.

“If John can play 12 to 15 games we’ll be pretty happy,” Balwyn coach Rodney Eade said.

“He’s another quality player and just adds to our depth.”

Kane Smartt during his time at Colac. Picture: Nathan Dyer

Fellow 2016 premiership player Shaun MacDonald is also back at the Tigers after focusing on his studies for the past two years.

But in a significant boost to Balwyn’s key-position stocks, the Tigers have signed Williamstown-listed tall Ryley Monkhorst.

Eade said the 203cm Monkhorst, the son of 1990 premiership ruckman Damian Monkhorst, was a “pivotal” acquisition for the Tigers.

Monkhorst has played the majority of his football at Woori Yallock, where he won a premiership in 2014 and was listed as the Tigers’ best player in last year’s grand final defeat to Wandin.

“Our rucks battled manfully last year but they were short against the better teams who had big ruckmen,” Eade said.

Balwyn coach Rodney Eade addresses his player last year. Picture: Chris Eastman/AAP

“Having Ryley there, he’ll be able to get his hands on the ball first and we got beat around stoppage a bit last year against the better sides because we didn’t have access to the footy.”

Recruits Bradyn Taglieri (Eltham), Alex Urban (East Ringwood) and Kane Smartt (Colac) will boost the midfield stocks, while Jack Martin (Doncaster East) will help shore up the backline.

Smartt, who won Colac’s best and fairest in 2016, has also been earmarked for a role in the forward line after booting 71 goals with Colac District club Lorne over the past two seasons.

Forward Charlie Haley and classy midfielder Cameron Manuel also shape as vital additions after missing parts of 2018 through injury.

Gun utility Shane Tregear, who was in Balwyn’s best players 11 times last year from 15 games, is a key departure after joining Ovens and Murray club Corowa-Rutherglen.

Eade said the Tigers had added quality and depth to its squad for this year’s campaign.

The returning Charlie Haley will be a boost for Balwyn. Picture: Valeriu Campan

He tipped last year’s grand finalists Vermont and South Croydon to be the sides to beat again this season.

“If we have a reasonable run with injuries with think we’ll be competitive,” he said.

“Certainly our depth will be a lot better and we’ve added to our list but the other top teams have certainly recruited well.

“We’ve certainly got to chase the leading two (Vermont and South Croydon) so we’ve got to hunt them but it is a pretty tough competition and you just don’t worry about those two, there are other good teams in the competition.”

Balwyn opens its season against South Croydon at Cheong Park on April 6.

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