EFL: Box Hill premiership player Mitch O’Donnell signs at Norwood

Norwood has landed one of the signings of the Eastern Football League off-season after securing Box Hill premiership player Mitch O’Donnell.

Mitch O'Donnell in action for Box Hill. Picture: Ian Currie

Norwood has landed one of the signings of the Eastern Football League off-season after securing Box Hill premiership player Mitch O’Donnell.

O’Donnell is the headline recruit at Mullum Mullum Reserve as the Norsemen look to end a three-year absence from finals in the EFL’s top flight.

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The tough onballer has spent the past six years in the VFL and was a key member of Box Hill’s 2018 premiership win.

Norwood coach Marty Pask said O’Donnell would become a vital plank in the Norsemen’s midfield.

Lachlan Walker lays a tackle for De La Salle this year. Picture: Chris Eastman/AAP

“He gives us a lot of football experience, particularly in our midfield,” he said.

“The people I have spoken to about Mitch around football speak very highly of him as a person and obviously as a leader as well.”

De La Salle midfielder Lachlan Walker will also add to Norwood’s onball division.

“Again, really suited to Eastern footy, big-bodied, strong midfielder that can get his hands on the footy,” Pask said.

“He’ll give us a great opportunity through the midfield once again to try and give us first use.”

Talk around @footyefl that Norwood FC has landed Box Hill Hawk Mitch O'Donnell for 2019. Six years in the VFL, premiership midfielder, team leader, as hard as a coffin nail.

— Paul Amy (@PaulAmy375) November 8, 2018

Former Melbourne Tigers academy squad member Daniel Sutcliffe has also put pen to paper after crossing from basketball to football.

Sutcliffe played junior football before turning his attention to hoops, winning a scholarship with Canadian college University of British Columbia.

“He trialled with a few AFL clubs as a category B rookie but obviously he just needs to get the volume of playing footy again and getting back into a club environment,” Pask said.

“He’s only 24 and at 207cm, he’s obviously going to be a great player for us and we’re really looking forward to having him.”

Ryan Morrison has crossed from Noble Park to Norwood. Picture: Hamish Blair

Forward Lachlan Kennedy (Ferntree Gully) and Chris Tibb (returning) have linked up with Norwood, with the Norsemen also confirming the arrival of Noble Park full back Ryan Morrison.

David Johnson is the only departure of note after accepting an assistant coaching role at Yarra Junction, while Leigh Williams, Jayden Kroussoratis, Rhett Jordon, Matt Aver, Stuart Horner, Stu Hill and Jamie Bennell are among those to recommit.

Pask said the club had looked to boost its midfield and defence as it aims for a return to finals.

“We had a clear strategy and way in which we wanted to recruit,” he said.

“There’s no doubt we wanted to bat deep through the midfield and we wanted to strengthen up our back half.

“Obviously this gives us an ability to be flexible with a few different match ups and gives us an ability to bat deeper through the midfield.”

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