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EFL 2019: VFL-listed pair Darcy Fritsch and Jesse Cucinotta join Eastern Football League club Norwood

Norwood has added another two VFL listers to its squad for 2019 as expectations grow the Norsemen will be one of the big improvers this Eastern Football League season.

Marty Pask will be hoping to take Norwood back to finals for the first time in four years. Picture: Andy Brownbill
Marty Pask will be hoping to take Norwood back to finals for the first time in four years. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Norwood has added another two VFL listers to its squad for 2019 as expectations grow the Norsemen will be one of the big improvers this Eastern Football League season.

Casey Demons forward Darcy Fritsch and Box Hill Hawks midfielder/forward Jesse Cucinotta have signed at the Premier division club, joining a long list of recruits.

Fritsch and Cucinotta have impressed at pre-season training at their respective state league clubs but will call Norwood home this year when playing local football.

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There is a view the talent-laden Norwood has underachieved since consecutive grand final appearances in 2014 and 2015, finishing outside the top five for the past three years.

Tristan Tweedie in action for East Ringwood last year. Picture: Field of View Sports Photography
Tristan Tweedie in action for East Ringwood last year. Picture: Field of View Sports Photography

But the additions of Box Hill premiership player Mitch O’Donnell, former Western Bulldogs rookie Tristan Tweedie, De La Salle midfielder Lachlan Walker, Noble Park defender Ryan Morrison, former basketballer Daniel Sutcliffe, Ferntree Gully forward Lachlan Kennedy and the returning Chris Tibb should have the Norsemen vying for a finals berth.

O’Donnell and Walker will form important planks in the on-ball division alongside Dean Poynton, Jordan Gysberts, Rhett Jordon and Tom Moloney, while the 208cm Sutcliffe will assume the No.1 ruck role.

Poynton will also be a valuable addition after missing the majority of last season through injury.

Morrison established himself as one of the top defenders in the competition last year, while Tweedie and Kennedy will form a dangerous forward line alongside spearhead Leigh Williams.

However, if Norwood is to build on its seventh-placed finish from last year, it will need to improve its record against the top five sides.

The Norsemen had a 0-7 record against the 2018 finalists, including three 10-plus goal defeats.

Mitch O'Donnell lays a tackle on former Tigers Sam Lloyd. Picture: Michael Klein
Mitch O'Donnell lays a tackle on former Tigers Sam Lloyd. Picture: Michael Klein

“We want to see improvement in our ability to compete in games, to stay in games and to win games,” first-year Norwood coach Marty Pask said.

“I think that is the challenge this year for our group to make sure in every single game we play and give ourselves the best chance to win those games.”

Of the departures, David Johnson has accepted an assistant coaching role at Yarra Junction and premiership ruckman Connor O’Sullivan and experienced midfielder Zak Carroll have joined Mitcham.

Pask said his side’s poor record against the top sides needed to be addressed for the club to be considered a genuine contender again.

“You can’t shy away from that, you can’t shy away from the performance they’ve had,” he said.

“You have to look at reasons why and you’ve got to look at what you feel you need and some of that we’ve addressed to a degree with the personnel we’ve been able to attract to our footy club.

“That gives us a good launching pad into 2019 that we want to make sure we compete with the best clubs in the competition.”

Norwood opens it season against defending premiers Vermont on April 6 at Terrara Rd.

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/localfooty/efl-2019-vfllisted-pair-darcy-fritsch-and-jesse-cucinotta-join-eastern-football-league-club-norwood/news-story/ef6cc1eea32f0d11f3a824d911219bc3