EFL 2019: League best and fairest winner Max Kruger departs The Basin for work opportunities

The Basin will be without league best and fairest and premiership player Max Kruger in 2019 but the Bears’ playing stocks have been boosted by three significant signings.

Max Kruger has relocated overseas. Picture: Paul Loughnan

The Basin will be without league best and fairest and premiership player Max Kruger in 2019 but the Bears’ playing stocks have been boosted by three significant signings.

Kruger has relocated overseas for work opportunities, leaving a gaping hole in The Basin’s midfield.

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He won the 2012 Perc James Medal as the Eastern Football League’s Division 4 best and fairest, the same season the Bears triumphed over South Belgrave in the grand final.

The Basin coach Justin Stanton said Kruger’s departure was a “big loss”.

“He’s got an opportunity for a posting in the UK so he’s taking on that, which we well and truly support,” Stanton said.

“He’s going to leave a big hole in the club on-field and off-field but the reliance is for others to pick up what we lose from him.”

Shane Davidson during his time at Vermont. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Former Vermont player Shane Davidson will help fill the void, bringing more than 100 games of Division 1 experience to the third-tier club.

Davidson played in three losing grand finals (2012, 2016 and 2017) with Vermont and missed last year’s premiership win through injury, returning from an ankle setback to play in the reserves flag.

“His leadership has been exceptional to date and we’re excited about the contribution he’s going to be able to make,” Stanton said.

“You get anyone who has played regular senior footy at Vermont and you get him out of the Eagles nest, it’s a pretty good catch.”

The Basin has also signed Nick Hallo (Ferntree Gully) and Kade Lynch (Beaconsfield).

“We played against Ferntree Gully twice last year and I was really impressed with him and his ability to win the footy,” Stanton said of Hallo.

“He’s got a number of mates at The Basin but certainly I targeted him right throughout the finals series last year.”

Lynch has arrived at Batterham Reserve through a link with Stanton, who had a previous stint at Beaconsfield.

The Basin finished with a 12-6 record last year and bowed out of the premiership race in the elimination final, with five losses by less than three goals ultimately hurting its campaign.

Stanton said the Bears would be in the finals mix if their young talent continued to develop.

He listed Connor and Tom Edwards, Mitch Brown, Lachlan Kruger, Jackson Drake and Alex Young as players to watch in 2019.

“They’re all kids that are TAC (Cup) footballers who played bits and pieces with us last year,” he said.

“We anticipate there is still a lot of area of growth there and that’s where we think our improvement is going to come from.

“That young group I mentioned, that’s certainly where our future lies.”

The Basin opens its Division 2 campaign against Heathmont on April 6.

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