EFNL 2022: North Ringwood secures former ‘The Recruit’, Heidelberg star, Jordan Treloar
Their latest signing is expected to cause opposition backs a few headaches, but it’s not just on-field that the Saints have been kicking goals this pre-season...
Eastern
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Defenders in the Eastern league’s Premier Division can expect a tough task when pitted against North Ringwood’s latest signing.
Former state league forward Jordan Treloar officially signed at the Saints on Wednesday, club president Steve Wootten confirmed.
The six-foot-four centre half-forward initially linked with the club in November where he had been training this pre-season before putting pen to paper.
Known widely for his appearance on the television program ‘The Recruit’ in 2016 where he made the finale, Treloar was a member of Heidelberg’s 2016 Division 1 premiership side in the Northern league.
He also enjoyed VFL stints with Werribee and Frankston, and nominated for the AFL national draft in 2016.
The 29-year-old had stepped away from football for the past three seasons having last played for Heidelberg in 2018, but a longstanding connection with Wootten helped steer the former Tiger to Quambee Reserve.
“I’ve known Jordy for 12 years, so he’s a personal friend … we were having a beer together, and I said to him ‘Would you think about playing footy again?’,” Wootten said, adding that the club facilities and Eastern league top division standard proved major selling points.
“Getting a guy like Jordy, not only is he great on-field, he’s great off-field, he’s a good clubman … I don’t think he’ll miss a beat.”
North Ringwood is also expected to welcome back a host of key names from injury this season, in a major boost to its defence.
Former VFL and AFL name Dylan Van Unen heads the list, alongside premiership player Jayden Van Unen, full-back and 2016 best and fairest Michael Locco, Josh Matthews and Jacob Bell.
“The biggest thing for us is we get back some big names from last year who were out all year – we’ve got a new backline really, and it’s going to be extremely strong,” Wootten said.
The club also has high hopes for aligned Richmond VFL-listed defender Joel Nathan after 10 VFL games last season, and midfielder Brandon Leonard who returns from the Eastern Ranges.
And it’s the junior program that Wootten expects to further propel the club, with some 470 players on board.
“The most attractive thing about North Ringwood in my view is the juniors coming through – elite juniors – we’ve got all these one-pointers about to hit our doorstep,” he said.
“We’re blessed with some talent coming through.”
But it’s not just on the field that the Saints have prospered this off-season.
Wootten, who took over in the presidency role following last season, said a raft of fundraising efforts had the club in an enviable position.
He said the incoming committee boasted a wealth of professionals, including its first-ever marketing manager, Mel Catania, in a move Wootten believes has worked wonders.
More than $40,000 had been raised to go towards a host of new food and merchandise trucks at home games, while outgoing president Lee Robinson and his committee had managed to deliver a profit and wipe all debt.
“We’ve always been behind the eight-ball trying to pay down debt … for the first time we’re not paying off debt, we’ve actually got money to spend around the club,” Wootten said.
And a recent fundraiser in support of much-loved club stalwart Jamie Redfern has seen the Saints’ community raise around $20,000 for the assistant coach as he battles some serious health issues.
The club is also set for a host of matches under lights this season across its men’s, women’s and veterans’ sides, and Wootten said all were living and breathing the club’s new hashtag, #NorthRingwoodFirst.
On the lighter side, the Saints will introduce a match-day mascot at all home games.
It’s all happening at North Ringwood.
“We’re going to bring a lot of fun to a high standard of footy,” Wootten said.
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