EFL 2019: Blake Pearson signs at Norwood full-time
Norwood is about to see a lot more of Port Melbourne midfielder Blake Pearson after the VFL premiership player signed full-time at the EFL Premier Division club for 2020.
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Port Melbourne premiership midfielder Blake Pearson has signed at Norwood full-time for 2020.
Pearson has made seven appearances for the Norsemen since 2014, including four games last year, as an aligned player.
He kicked six goals against Montrose in Round 16 and will be a significant addition to Norwood’s on-ball brigade.
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The signing was made official on Monday night when Pearson put pen to paper.
Pearson featured in Port Melbourne’s 2017 flag and played 89 games for the Borough.
Norwood president Mark Etherington said Pearson’s addition would provide leadership on and off the field.
“I think we’ve certainly addressed the depth required through the midfield rotations and it goes one step further to ensure we’re presenting the best possible team to be competitive in 2020,” Etherington said.
Port Melbourne confirmed earlier this month Pearson would be retiring from the state league due to work commitments.
Norwood has missed finals for the past four years following consecutive grand final appearances, which included the 2014 premiership.
It finished sixth this year with a 10-8 record to miss the EFL Premier Division top five on percentage.
A one-point defeat against Doncaster in Round 9 ultimately proved to be the difference in the Norsemen’s season.
Pearson is the second VFL premiership player to sign at Norwood in as many years after the addition of Mitch O’Donnell from Box Hill Hawks last year.
O’Donnell, Leigh Williams, Rhett Jordon, Jordan Gysberts, Jamie Bennell, Lachlan Kennedy, Joel Naburg, Darin Stewart and Daniel Sutcliffe have each recommitted for next year.
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Former Western Bulldogs rookie Tristan Tweedie will also be a full-time player in 2020.
Tweedie won Team of the Year honours in 2018 when he was at East Ringwood and crossed to Mullum Mullum Reserve at the end of last year.
Etherington said Norwood had worked hard to secure Pearson’s signature.
“We see Blake becoming an important player in our quest to return to finals,” he said.
“He has spent the past six seasons playing VFL football and we know his experience will only help us challenge the best sides in the competition.”
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