EFL 2019: Dillon Viojo-Rainbow signs with VFL side Footscray
Doncaster East will be without one of its premiership stars in 2019 but appeared well-equipped to again be a premiership contender.
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Doncaster East is preparing to be without premiership star Dillon Viojo-Rainbow this year after the former Carlton-listed player signed with VFL club Footscray.
But the Lions will remain in premiership contention this season after signing former AFL prospect Alex Rintoul who will join former Carlton defender Sam Rowe on the list of additions.
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Viojo-Rainbow, who was pivotal in the Lions’ Division 2 grand final win in 2018, was awarded best-on-ground honours after kicking three telling goals.
It was announced earlier this month Viojo-Rainbow had signed with Footscray for 2019.
The 22-year-old played in Port Melbourne’s 2017 premiership win but lost his place in the side last year before having a stint in the Eastern Football League.
Doncaster East president Mark Solanakis said it was unlikely the Lions would see Viojo-Rainbow in 2019.
“We’ve spoken to him, he’s out west so it’s just really awkward and we wouldn’t have any expectations of him coming across town to play footy,” Solonakis said.
“I’d rather him focus fully on playing VFL and hopefully progressing his career.”
Rintoul was a promising junior before having time away from the game. He spent time at Northern Knights and last played at Greensborough in 2013.
Solanakis said Rintoul would be an “x-factor” player this year.
“It’s not a name people are going to really identify with … we know his history and we’re pretty excited to have him at our club,” he said.
Solanakis said Doncaster East was committed to cracking the top-tier for the first time in its 52-year history this season.
The Lions weren’t promoted last year as part of the EFL restructure.
“I’ll keep saying openly, we’re really keen to be playing in Premier division to test our players,” Solanakis said.
“Hopefully we can get guys to jump on board with what our future plans are and that is to be competitive in the Premier division. We’ve never been there, mate.
“It’s our time. We can continue to come up with this and that but it’s our time.”
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