EFL 2019: Tyson McKenzie cleared to join Coldstream

Coldstream’s bid to challenge the top sides in Division 4 has received a boost after it signed experienced midfielder Tyson McKenzie.

Tyson McKenzie during his time at Silvan.

Football journeyman Tyson McKenzie will join Coldstream for the second half of the season.

A clearance was last week approved for McKenzie to join the Cougars from Goulburn Valley league club Mooroopna.

He played the first nine games for Mooroopna this year but he will spend the rest of the season in the EFL.

McKenzie played his first game for Coldstream against Surrey Park on Saturday after the transfer was approved on Friday.

MORE LOCAL FOOTY NEWS

DEVILS CHAMPION FACING STINT ON SIDELINES

TOM BOYD’S CLEARANCE TO NORWOOD APPROVED

EAST RINGWOOD RUNNER SUSPENDED FOR UMPIRE ABUSE

NOBLE PARK ENDS RUN OF LOSSES

He was named in the Cougars’ best players in the 6.14 (50) to 7.7 (49) win.

The experienced midfielder served as playing coach of Congupna in the Murray Football League in 2016 and 2017.

He has also played at EFL clubs Silvan and Mitcham, and had stints at AFL Outer East club Warburton Milgrove.

Coldstream football operations manager Daniel Price said McKenzie’s addition would be crucial for its push for a Division 4 finals berth.

The Cougars sit third with a 7-3 record, two games inside the top four.

“I’ve been in discussions with Tyson for a couple of years now trying to get him across,” Price said.

“When he made contact with me and said, ‘look, I’m moving back to Melbourne from Shepparton’ he said he wanted to come and play here.

“He’ll be a good acquisition for us with our young midfield with Darcy (Carrigan) and Lachie Craig as an older inside mid is extremely valuable for a young team.”

Price said McKenzie’s leadership and experience would be vital.

“I’ve been discussing with the coach but obviously Chad (Rogers) was happy to get someone of his experience on board,” he said.

“It was a no-brainer for us, especially with the position we’re in and we obviously want to push for as best as we can do this year. Someone like that is going to help.”

WHAT A LEADER LOCAL FOOTY SUBSCRIPTION GIVES YOU ACCESS TO

— Match reports, features, player and coach movements and analysis of all the leagues across Melbourne.

— Unprecedented AFL coverage.

— All the latest football news from across the country including Herald Sun, Daily Telegraph and Courier-Mail.

— Latest news and videos from the world’s leading leagues.

— Exclusive digital stories and videos before they go to print.