EFNL 2021: Michael Cardamone returns to The Basin
A champion small forward with hundreds of goals to his name has landed back in the Eastern league, following a VAFA premiership in 2019.
Eastern
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Champion small forward Michael Cardamone has landed back at Batterham Reserve.
The livewire returns to the Eastern league following a stint with VAFA Division 3 outfit Aquinas in 2019, where he booted 30 majors from 10 appearances on the way to a premiership.
Cardamone, who will serve as a playing-assistant at The Basin, has kicked more than 300 goals in the Eastern league in the past decade across stints with Forest Hill, The Basin, and Coldstream which he coached to finals in 2017.
He’s a three-time Division 4 Team of the Year representative in the Eastern league, having claimed honours in 2012, 2013 and 2018, highlighted by his 57-goal ‘13 season in which Forest Hill played off in the Division 4 grand final.
Cardamone last played in the EFNL with the Zebras in May 2019 before crossing to Aquinas, and spent three seasons at The Basin from 2014-16.
The Basin senior coach Justin Stanton said he was thrilled to welcome the star goalkicker back to the club.
“He wanted to return and he enjoyed his time at The Basin – he wants to develop his coaching and he’s going to look after the forward line as a playing-assistant,” Stanton said.
“With such a young list, we think he’ll be a good fit in developing some of our younger small forwards.
“I think his stats speak for themselves.”
The Bears finished the 2019 season in sixth position in Division 2 with a 5-12-1 record, after last playing finals in 2018.
They’ve also added young defender Luke Scott who makes the move from Beaconsfield, and small forward Jack Walton from Moe.
“We’re excited about all the new additions, that’s for sure,” Stanton said.
“The guys are really excited and we’ve got our practice matches all locked in in March, now it’s just a matter of fine-tuning some things and hopefully we get through the pre-season without any significant injuries.”
The Basin begins its 2021 campaign when it takes on Heathmont at HE Parker Reserve on April 10.
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