EFNL 2021: How Mitcham plans to close gap on rivals

The Tigers have been active on the recruiting scene this off-season with some handy inclusions, as they look to climb the ladder next season.

Mitcham coach Neil Winterton believes his club’s haul of recruits this off-season can help bridge the gap on its rivals in 2022.

The Tigers finished fifth on the ladder with a 5-6 record this season in their first campaign in the league’s second tier, following promotion at the end of 2019.

They’ve bolstered the midfield with the addition of Jack Kimber and Harry Veitch, alongside versatile key position player, James May. All three cross from Premier club Balwyn where Kimber served as its reserves captain. He landed at the club via existing friendships, bringing with him Veitch and May. Winterton said the lure of more senior opportunities appealed to the trio.

They complement the earlier signing of key forward Tom Lovell from Upper Ferntree Gully, and should all provide a big lift in the Tigers’ pursuit up the ladder next season according to the coach.

“We felt there was a bit of a gap between the top two or three teams and that’s sort of why we wanted to add to our midfield and get another forward in and bolster up the list a bit,” Winterton said.

“Coupled with our age demographic we think with natural improvement from those guys, and adding those recruits, we hope that we can bridge that gap between us and the top teams.”

Lovell kicked 21 goals from 11 matches this season and was named in the best on six occasions.

He’ll combine with Tiger spearhead Jake Parente next season and Winterton believes it’s an exciting prospect.

“He (Lovell) was one of the best forwards in the competition this year … he’s down at Box Hill at the moment doing a pre-season with them and we really homed in on him as our No. 1 target,” Winterton said.

“I know there was quite a few clubs having a chat to him but he knew a couple of the boys which helped.

“To have him helping Jake Parente, it should make our forward line pretty potent. We’re pretty excited about those two working together.”

But Winterton has called time on his decorated playing career.

Neil Winterton has hung up the boots after a decorated playing career. Picture: Davis Harrigan

The 39-year-old played more than 150 games at Frankston in the VFL and won Mulgrave’s best and fairest in its 2010 premiership year, before a playing/coaching stint with Bayswater and dual flags with Mitcham across 2015 and ‘19.

“The body’s made its decision for me … after the year off (in 2020) and getting back into it, at 39 the body just said it’s had enough. I’d love to ignore it, but it rules the roost.”

Mitcham opens its season at home against Mooroolbark on Saturday, April 2.