EFL 2019: Former Emerald captain Mathew Dompietro among recruits at Surrey Park
The Eastern Football League restructure could pave the way for perennial cellar dweller Surrey Park to end its 13-year finals drought.
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The Eastern Football League restructure could pave the way for perennial cellar dweller Surrey Park to end its 13-year finals drought.
The Panthers have cracked a top-four position just twice since entering the competition in 2002, with their most recent finals appearance coming in 2006.
But in the new eight-team Division 4 competition, Surrey Park is optimistic it can build on last year’s record of 6-12.
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Recruits Mathew Dompietro (Emerald) and Damian Frisina (Chirnside Park) will boost the midfield, while key defender George Haynes has signed from Ovens and Murray club Wodonga Bulldogs.
“The players we’ve recruited, we’ve achieved what we wanted to target,” Surrey Park coach Scott Hamill said.
“Last year we probably lacked a bit of depth throughout our midfield and some stronger bodies. We weren’t as strong around the contest as we need to be. We’ve recruited some depth to our midfield with those bigger bodies on the inside.”
Only Daniel Toma and Andrew Rogers have departed the club over the summer, signing with AFL Outer East’s Olinda Ferny Creek.
Hamill, entering his fourth season at the club, predicted his side would be more competitive in 2019 as it looks to end the league’s longest finals drought.
“It’s actually time for Surrey Park to step up and reward the hard work that’s been done over the few years I’ve been there,” he said.
“The club has definitely grown and developed in our list with our results and it’s probably time to take the next step.
“Our under-19s have played in the last couple of grand finals, our reserves got through to a prelim last year and it’s time for the club to push forward and make sure we can capitalise on the recruits we’ve got and start putting Surrey Park on the map.”
Whitehorse Pioneers and Glen Waverley Hawks were promoted out of the bottom tier last year, opening the door for the Panthers to record a top-four finish.
“I think the restructure is going to benefit a number of clubs,” Hamill said.
“You’ve got the likes of East Burwood, Forest Hill, who will probably still be up there and considered to be strong, and then the likes of ourselves, Coldstream, Fairpark and Silvan who are able to beat the top sides and compete with the top sides.
“It’s definitely going to help us push up the ladder.”
Surrey Park opens its season against Coldstream on April 6.
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