EFL: Woori Yallock brothers Zach and Ben Monkhorst join South Croydon
There’s been three significant departures from Woori Yallock, with star pair Zach and Ben Monkhorst joining premiership teammate Jordy Williams at South Croydon.
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First there was Jordy Williams, and then came the Monkhorst brothers Zach and Ben.
South Croydon completed its trifecta of Woori Yallock signings when it confirmed the signatures of the Monkhorst siblings on Friday.
The announcement came just days after it was announced Williams had crossed from the AFL Outer East club to Cheong Park.
South Croydon coach Luke McCormick said the trio were “good quality people and a good fit”.
“Benny is best mates with Jordy … and (they’ve) played a lot of footy together at Woori,” McCormick said.
“It’s just as much the quality of the guys as it is their ability.
“Every club would like a gun onballer, a ruckman and a key forward — that’s what you want and we’ve basically been able to get them.
“They’ve all played together and are all really good mates with a lot of the boys throughout the whole of the EFL, not just our club.”
Zach established himself as the AFL Outer East’s premier ruckman this year, taking home the competition’s best and fairest.
Ben has been one of the league’s top forwards this decade and is a three-time premiership player at Woori Yallock.
Both also spent time at Box Hill Hawks and Ben had a stint with Collingwood’s VFL program.
The pair will also come up against brother Ryley when South Croydon meets Balwyn next year.
McCormick said Zach’s addition would allow for a “horses for courses” mix with Max King between forward and in the ruck.
Their departures from Woori Yallock will leave the Tigers without their three best players.
“I do know a few people there from my time in the Yarra Valley and it’s not on purpose from that point of view,” McCormick said.
“They have had a few departures but they want to improve their footy and play at a higher level.
“That’s what our points system is for now, to stop guys going from the top level to go backwards or go to a lower level.
“Ben says he is getting a bit older and (wanted) an opportunity to come back and try himself at the higher level.
“Zach is in the prime of his footy and wants to now kick on and really test himself.”
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Gippsland Power product Callen McKeon has also joined South Croydon from Bairnsdale.
The small forward/midfielder has spent the past two years at the Gippsland league club following his time in the NAB League.
“He’s an exciting talent from the country that wants to play VFL footy but he’s another one we’ve added,” McCormick said.
“Another quality kid as well that just wants to play the best footy he can.”
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