EFNL 2022: Ex-North Melbourne Kangaroo Daniel Nielson signs at Vermont
Vermont has signed an ex-North Melbourne tall and he’s “exactly what we needed” according to the president. Latest here.
Eastern
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It’s a homecoming for an ex-AFL and VFL tall.
Eastern league Premier Division club Vermont has secured former North Melbourne defender Daniel Nielson, with the 26-year-old returning to his junior club.
The 194cm talent spent four seasons on the Kangaroos’ list from 2015 to 2018 following his selection at pick 25 in the 2014 national draft via the Eastern Ranges.
The versatile tall played seven matches for North, debuting in 2017 before continuing with VFL outfit Werribee in 2019, and had been aligned to Werribee Districts in the Western Region league since 2021.
He’ll be full-time with Vermont in 2023.
Vermont senior coach Adam Parker recently told Leader the club would look to bolster its attack this off-season after the club missed the finals for the first time since 2011.
Parker lamented the Eagles this season “just couldn’t score enough to be super competitive against the top teams”.
Vermont president Danny Ross said Neilson would step into a forward role, following the retirement of key forward Andrew Ainger who missed most of the 2022 season through injury.
Neilson kicked 51 goals from 17 matches for Werribee Districts in the WRFL’s top-flight this season, following 25 majors from 10 appearances in 2021.
“We’ve recruited him specifically as a key forward and he’s hungry, he’s a livewire and he’s exactly what we needed,” Ross said of Nielson.
“He was living on the other side of town but has moved back … so it made it a hell of a lot easier that he’s living in the eastern suburbs and he wants to come home and play for his junior club.
“It helps with the (player) points, and we’re rapt – we’re really happy about it.
“With our young forwards he can teach them his craft and not only does he bring his experience, but he also brings his leadership.”
Nielson joins dual premiership defender Matt Willcocks returning to the club following a season at Gippsland league outfit Leongatha, where he played in the Parrots’ flag this year.
But the Eagles, who finished ninth on the ladder with a 6-12 record this season, are set to unveil further key recruits in the coming weeks.
“These blokes (Neilson and Willcocks) are 26-27, so they’re right in the prime of their footy career and we’re just about to sign another ruckman,” Ross said.
“The three areas that we wanted was a ruckman, a key forward and a key defender and we think we’ve got enough kids to fill everything else.”
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