EFL: Michael Riseley joins Upper Ferntree Gully from Woori Yallock
Upper Ferntree Gully has farewelled four senior players, including ex-coach Joel Perry, but the Eastern league Division 1 club is buoyed by its latest signing.
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Upper Ferntree Gully has added a second former state league player to its list for 2020 following the signing of decorated VFL defender Luke Tynan.
Woori Yallock star Michael Riseley put pen to paper at Kings Park on Monday night, joining Tynan as one of the marquee signings at the Eastern league Division 1 club.
Riseley brings VFL and NEAFL experience from stints at Casey Demons and Sydney Hills Eagles, where he was a best and fairest winner in 2014.
He was also a premiership player at Berwick in 2015 and 2018 and enjoyed grand final glory at Woori Yallock in 2010.
Riseley is one of several high-profile departures out of Woori Yallock, with Jordy Williams and Zach and Ben Monkhorst joining South Croydon.
Upper Gully football director Andy Heyman said it was hoped Riseley would give the Kings an edge in what it tipped to be an extremely competitive division next year.
“He’s a very fit half-forward, half-back and wing,” Heyman said.
“He’d be 185cm, 188cm so he’s going to be handy on our ground if it stays dry because he is an elite runner and intercept mark.”
David De Araugo has also crossed from Blackburn, where he claimed the top-tier league reserves best and fairest in 2018 but senior opportunities were limited as the Burners pushed into premiership calculations.
Heyman said De Araugo would add to Upper Gully’s midfield group.
“Our information out of Blackburn is he could have played (seniors) but he probably didn’t bring anything extra to their group,” he said.
“He was just going to be a replacement for what they had.”
Upper Gully missed finals this year by 2.93 per cent and has waved goodbye to four senior players.
Joel Perry (Vermont), Matt Lee (AFL Queensland), Ryan Einsporn (Rosebud) and Ryan Phillips (Warrandyte) have departed.
But Heyman warned Upper Gully would again be in finals contention if it lands another two of its recruiting targets.
“Nothing is a given in our competition but we’d like to think if we get everyone we want, we’re going to be competitive again, which means that you’re a chance,” he said.
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“And with (premier) Doncaster East out of it … this would be the most even competition in metropolitan Melbourne.
“All you’ve got to do is stay competitive and you’re a chance.
“If we get these next two, which are two talls … we’re going to be around the mark.”
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