EFNL 2021: Doncaster boosts list in bid to climb Premier ladder

Doncaster is set to reap the benefits of a former VFL-listed wingman committing for 2021, while the Eastern Premier club is “hellbent” on improving from 2019.

Doncaster is “hellbent” on improvement this season. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Doncaster has bolstered its squad with the addition of a former VFL-listed wingman in its bid to climb the Eastern Premier ladder this season.

Nick Kempe has committed to the Sharks on a full-time basis after initially linking with the club for 2020.

He spent 2019 on Collingwood’s VFL list while also playing for Northern league top-flight outfit West Preston-Lakeside with 13 appearances that season, featuring in the club’s premiership side. Kempe was also a member of the Gold Coast Suns academy in 2016 and ‘17, and trained with Casey in 2020 before the season was cancelled.

“He will be a terrific asset for us and our group,” Doncaster senior coach Stewart Kemperman said.

“He thought about where he might play and I think after a bit of reflection with what he’s doing outside of footy in studying and work, he made the decision to come and join us full-time which we’re really excited about.

“He’s fit, he’s healthy and he’s making some really strong connections with the guys and I can’t wait to see what he brings for us.”

Kempe on the go for the Suns’ academy side.

Meanwhile, big-bodied VFL-listed midfielder Cody Stackelberg has again aligned to the Sharks after linking with the club in 2020. Stackelberg has signed on with Collingwood in the revamped state league following stints in the NEAFL with the Brisbane Lions and Apsley across 2018 and 2019.

“We hope that he gets some reward for the effort, firstly for moving down from Queensland last year, sticking it out through lockdown and having another go this year,” Kemperman said.

“When he’s available, he’s keen to play with us and he trains with us each week and he’d be a terrific addition to the side.”

The club also re-signed a host of its key names late last year, but has lost 2020 boom recruit Jaxon Gervasoni who has returned to Mulgrave.

Doncaster missed the finals for the first time since 2012 in 2019, also breaking its run of three consecutive appearances in the top division, finishing eighth with a 4-14 record.

Its 2019 campaign was hit by the unavailability of the core of its team throughout the season through injuries and overseas travel.

Kemperman said while his club was under no illusions of the challenge ahead to climb the Premier ladder, he was confident in the list’s depth.

“We have a strong core group of 35 that are going to be fighting for those 22 positions, possibly more, so I think our depth is definitely a lot more than what it has been in previous years which is exciting,” he said.

“The big question mark over everyone is how have we come back after a year off, while we can run, train and simulate what a game might be, we really don’t know until we start playing against other teams.

“We’re very hellbent on improvement and continuing to improve and push to become one of those teams in the top-flight of the competition, and we see no reason why that shouldn’t be our expectation and our goal for the season ahead.”

Doncaster opens its season away to South Croydon on April 10.