EFL: South Croydon lands star defenders ahead of 2021
South Croydon is shaping as one of the top prospects of the EFL’s Premier Division in 2021 following the signing of two star defenders, but there’s more reason for optimism according to coach Luke McCormick.
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South Croydon’s defence has received a significant boost following the departure of one of its key backs.
The EFL Premier Division outfit has landed former Box Hill and Frankston VFL defender James Wilsen who crosses from Montrose, and Lilydale young gun Patrick Klep who earned Team of the Year selection in season 2018 when the Falcons played off in the Division 2 grand final.
Premiership defender Dale Walker recently crossed to Division 1 club East Ringwood where he’s set to serve as a playing assistant coach to Ben Osborne.
South Croydon senior coach Luke McCormick said Wilsen and Klep would bolster the club’s defence in Walker’s absence.
“Jimmy Wilsen’s a good mate of a few of the boys – he’s played a bit of VFL footy with them … he comes in as a bit of a dual option – he’ll play a key role down back for us but he’ll probably also pinch-hit in the ruck at times,” he said.
“Patty Klep is a highly rated junior who’s done some really good work with Lilydale the last few years. He feels that now’s the right time to step up and challenge himself with Premier level which is great.”
The Bulldogs brought in Woori-Yallock star trio Ben and Zach Monkhorst and Jordan Williams for what was supposed to be season 2020, but Ben has recently crossed back to the AFL Outer East club to play alongside brother Ryley who has moved on from Balwyn.
McCormick said despite the 50 per cent reduction to the Premier Division salary cap for 2021 with a payment ceiling of $100,000, the majority of the list has recommitted and the club remains “buoyant” despite the season lay-off.
“Our boys have been fantastic, they’ve all basically re-signed and are super-keen to go,” McCormick said.
“The thing with us is that with the three or four key signings we had at the start of this year, we were very excited and buoyant about our list and what they would bring and so I think everyone’s still got that feeling.”
While McCormick said while the club still has “a couple” of potential recruits in the pipeline, the current shape of the list ahead of 2021 is cause for optimism.
“For us we’re pretty close and we’ve got a lot of guys that have come in over the last few years that you just want to give that chance to – you’ve got to be careful with bringing too many,” McCormick said.
“It’s the one thing we have at the Kennel, because a lot of blokes want to come and play here because it’s such a great place.
“We’re still talking to a couple but we feel pretty good with where we’re at.”