EFNL 2021: Jordan Winter returns to Nunawading, among a host of new signings

Former captain Jordan Winter headlines a host of names joining the Lions ahead of 2022 – including a new co-coach.

EFL (Division 4) Football: Nunawading v Croydon MLOC. Nunawading's Jordan Winter who wore the number 0 for TAC's Towards Zero campaign. Picture: Josie Hayden

Nunawading has welcomed back a former club captain – but he’s not the only addition to the club ahead of the 2022 campaign.

Jordan Winter has landed back at the Lions following a season with Division 4 rival, Surrey Park, and he’ll serve as a playing-assistant. The midfielder played all 11 matches for the Panthers last season, and earned a Division 4 team of the year nod in 2019.

Nunawading senior coach Ryan Dobson said Winter’s strong connection to the club helped bring him back, following a raft of off-field changes at Koonung Reserve.

“Everyone knows Nunawading’s had its issues off-field over the years, and when we came to the club he did wear a lot of burden … it probably got to the point where he got to go to Surrey Park with a couple of his mates, he needed a little bit of a break,” Dobson said.

“He enjoyed his footy and at the same time I guess it was a bit of a wake-up call for the club.

“We refocussed our energies on getting the off-field side up and running well. I think he noticed that … we stayed in communication with him the whole time and it’s a sign he was confident to return because he can see the club’s on the right path.”

Jordan Winter sends the Lions into attack. Picture: Josie Hayden

The Lions have also added a swag of new names.

Ruckman Cory Tuckey has signed at the club, after a couple of seasons off following stints with Upwey Tecoma and Powelltown in the AFL Outer East competition, while Forest Hill forward Nelson Payne and teammate Mitch Newman, an inside midfielder, have also joined.

Michael Tomazic returns to the club following a stint with Manningham, and young tall prospect Brooklyn Gebel-Lamb crosses from Ringwood.

Gebel-Lamb played 10 matches and kicked 20 goals for the Redbacks’ under-19s this season where he was named in the best on four occasions, following a stint with Norwood’s under-19s in the top division in 2019. Tomazic joins brothers Ben, Nick and Jackson at the club and is slated to play a flank/wing role.

Dobson said the added depth, particularly in attack, would create competition for spots.

“We’ve got options down there now, it’s going to be interesting to see throughout pre-season where everybody takes up their position, because it’s more competitive than it has been,” he said.

“With the second year with the young guys, and adding these guys to the group, I think we’re going to improve and the expectations are higher now internally than they have been in the past.”

And it’s set to be a double act in the coaches’ box next season, with Dobson to be joined by incoming co-coach, Jeff Gallagher.

Gallagher joins the club after stints as an assistant at Mount Waverley and Fairpark. He was part of the coaching team for Fairpark’s 2019 Division 4 flag, and a connection to Dobson brought him to Nunawading.

“I’ve known Jeff for a few years now … we’ve tried to get him in the last three years – we weren’t looking for a co-coach but we were looking to get Jeff Gallagher,” Dobson said.

“Even if he was the senior assistant, myself and him would still be working together as equals. He just was the right person to do it with … we’re both on the same page and it feels like we’ve got the right combination.”