EFL: Doncaster East targeting young talent
Doncaster East will attempt to add young talent to its list as part of the Lions’ preparations for their first tilt at EFL Premier Division.
Local Footy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Doncaster East is busy targeting homegrown players in an attempt to give its list a more youthful look for its foray into EFL Premier Division.
The Lions have announced Matthew Kakaflikas will return to Zerbes Reserve in 2020 after a stint at North Ringwood.
The young defender was a product of Doncaster East’s junior affiliate Beverley Hills and was in the Saints’ best players in six of his 13 games.
“From the homework we’ve done, he’s got a very good set of mitts on him, a very good intercept marker and can rebound off halfback,” Doncaster East coach Steve Buckle said.
“He’s young and he looks pretty mobile. He’s not just tall and skinny, he’s got a good little bit of size about him.”
But Doncaster East will be without former Melbourne and Carlton midfielder Brock McLean next year.
McLean has confirmed his retirement after two flags in his three seasons at the club, which won promotion to the league’s top-tier for the first time following its Division 1 grand final triumph.
It’s hoped McLean will join Doncaster East’s coaching panel.
“He’s definitely not going anywhere else,” Buckle said.
Versatile tall Sam McLarty has also crossed from North Ringwood but it’s expected he will spend the majority of the year at VFL club Williamstown.
McLarty played juniors at Beverley Hills and spent two years on Collingwood’s list before he was delisted at the end of 2018.
“We probably won’t see much of Sam because he’ll be tied up with his VFL,” Buckle said.
“I think he played 16 games last year so I think he’s reasonably confident it’s going to pan out that way again.”
It was also confirmed earlier this month that former Carlton and St Kilda defender Sam Rowe would return to honour the contract he signed last year before he was offered an AFL lifeline by the Saints.
MORE EASTERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS
SOUTH CROYDON SIGNS WOORI YALLOCK GUN
CALDWELL WILLING TO BE PATIENT AS KILSYTH REBUILDS
WANTIRNA SOUTH SECURES PACKAGE OF VERMONT PLAYERS
LANGFORD LOCKED IN AT WAVERLEY BLUES
Buckle said the club’s priority was to secure young talent.
“Historically, we haven’t really had that pathway locked in once they go from Beverley Hills,” he said.
“We’re scoping the scene trying to find out where everybody is and where the good players are and trying to identify as many one-point players as we can.”
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.