EFNL 2021: Pioneers sign utility and key tall for 2021

The Whitehorse Pioneers have added further names to the list ahead of their Division 3 campaign, which coach Brad Taws believes will boost his club.

Leadership group member Jayson Fabris gets a kick away. Picture: Davis Harrigan

The Whitehorse Pioneers have complemented a fruitful pre-season of recruiting with the addition of further key names which coach Brad Taws believes will boost his club in its Division 3 campaign.

Utility Rob MacDougall from VAFA top tier outfit Old Scotch and young Doncaster tall Chris Tsiligiannis are the latest signings at Springfield Park, landing at the club through existing friendships.

Taws lauded the pair’s inclusion, adding to a productive lead-in to the season for the Pioneers which has yielded the return of star premiership forward Andrew Padbury to go with a swag of 2019 recruits yet to represent their new club.

Andrew Padbury in action for the Pioneers.

Forward Tom Davis made the move from Balwyn alongside Vermont premiership player Daniel Mendes and big-bodied defender Duncan Jones, while 2018 premiership stars Damian and Matthew Bertacco returned after a year away.

“(Rob) will bring a lot to us, on and off the field. I think he might be a bit classier than third division … he was pretty much a walk-up at Scotch and he’s got a good footy brain as well,” Taws said.

“He can play forward, back, wing, anywhere – he’s six-foot-five and a beautiful mark.”

Taws has slated Tsiligiannis for a role up forward, which he believes could provide versatility for the returning Padbury.

“(Tsiligiannis) wanted to come back and enjoy his footy, he’s got some raw ability,” Taws said.

“Where he’s come from at Premier football, it says enough. He can play centre half forward or full forward and it might free us up to play Padbury in another position.”

Meanwhile, Tom Connell has been instilled as captain for 2021 alongside Michael McDougall as vice-captain. Former skipper Maverick Gleed, Damian Bertacco, Daniel Mendes and Jayson Fabris rounded out the leadership group announced in November.

The Whitehorse Pioneers finished sixth in 2019 with an 8-10 record in Division 3, and Taws, who has a coaching background at top-flight clubs in the Eastern league and VAFA, said standards would remain high in his maiden season.

“My expectations don’t change from where I am in third division from Premier level … and the big thing to me is that the standards are high,” he said.

“We are a third division club, and the way I look at is we’ve got to be the best prepared on and off the field, and if we can do that, the rest will take care of itself.”

The Whitehorse Pioneers begin their season away to East Burwood on April 10.