EFL 2019: Vermont ruckman Liam Buxton back at the Eagles after being dropped by Casey Demons

Liam Buxton has fallen victim to the selection squeeze at Casey Demons, but his return to Vermont could serve as another boost for the Eagles’ quest for back-to-back premierships.

Vermont ruckman Liam Buxton flies for a mark. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Vermont premiership ruckman Liam Buxton could be facing a stint back at the Eagles after being squeezed out of the Casey Demons line-up.

Buxton played the first eight games in the VFL but has spent the past fortnight back in the Eastern Football League.

He was omitted by Casey for the Round 10 clash against Collingwood as the Demons selected to play Melbourne category B rookie Austin Bradtke alongside Braydon Preuss.

Bradtke joined Melbourne last year and was called up to the VFL after playing three games with NAB League club Dandenong Stingrays.

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Buxton is considered one of the best ruckmen in local football and he had made an immediate impression in the state league.

He was named Casey’s best player in the Round 3 defeat against Richmond and had averaged 23 hit-outs a game.

But as a VFL aligned club, AFL-listed players are given priority at selection.

“I think just given tall player position spots at the moment that there’s not just a spot for Liam in the ruck or they’ve gone with a different mix,” Vermont coach Harmit Singh said.

“Fingers crossed for him over the next couple of weeks he gets an opportunity.”

Buxton needs to play just one more game to be eligible for EFL finals, but he is close to the qualification threshold in the state league.

Singh said the Eagles were not “banking on having Liam” for EFL finals.

“It’s a bit of wait and see with where we get to with Liam and when he gets back in the VFL side, which is hopefully not in the too distant future,” he said.

“He’s fully understanding where he’s at and what he needs to do to get back in the side.

“The benefit for Liam is he can come back to his home club, where he’s got a lot of good friends and he can keep working on his game and craft.”

Buxton’s return to Terrara Rd gives Vermont one of the best ruck combinations in the competition, pairing with veteran Robbie Ross.

“We’ve been able to manage that quite well so far,” Singh said.

“To have the both of those guys playing good footy, we’ve been pretty good around our stoppages and those two are key reasons around that.”

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