EFNL 2022: The key signings set to turn winless Oakleigh District around

Around 20 new names have linked with Oakleigh District this off-season, as it looks to turn its fortunes around following a winless campaign ...

It was a tough initiation in its first season in the Eastern league – but Oakleigh District is poised to bounce back following a wealth of signings.

Up to 20 new players have linked with the club according to incoming senior playing-coach Blake Pearson as it prepares to take on Division 3 next season.

It endured a winless campaign from 18 starts in Division 2 this year after crossing from the Southern league, with an average losing margin of 136 points including losses of 150 points or more on eight occasions.

Pearson, who recently claimed a second-consecutive top-flight league best and fairest playing for Norwood, says a mountain of work had been undertaken to help turn the club’s fortunes around.

Dual Chandler medallist Blake Pearson should provide District plenty next season. Picture: Davis Harrigan

“It’s been a hell of a lot of hard work and we’re still about to announce a few more as well … we’ve worked hard, we knew that we needed to get some depth and talent through the door and we think we’ve done that,” he said.

“For us now, it’s about putting in the hard work.”

Key forward Zac Bozanich is among the swag of recruits, arriving after two seasons with Central Highlands outfit Springbank.

He formed the league’s most potent attack duo this season, with his haul including 41 goals from 14 games including a match-winning five majors in the prelim final – including one after the siren – which sent his side into the decider.

Zac Bozanich was one of Springbank’s best in this year’s finals series. Picture: Ballarat Courier

Bozanich produced 31 majors from nine appearances in 2021, and previously played with Moree Suns in the North West NSW comp following an earlier stint with Swan Districts in the WAFL.

He’ll be joined by 195cm forward/ruck Jacob Warne, with the 25-year-old crossing from Western Australia where he spent five seasons with South Fremantle.

He spent 2022 with Melville in the Perth league.

It’s a forward combination which excites the new coach.

“We identified that we needed some key position players, so to be able to get him and Zac will be pretty hard to stop I would’ve thought,” Pearson said.

Warne found his way to the club through returning on-baller Matt Nicholas, who brings versatility as a half-forward and wingman according to Pearson.

Former Bendigo Pioneers and Calder Cannons talent Mitch Trait has also signed in the club’s bid to bolster the midfield, while 2015 premiership name Daniel De Fide has returned.

Expectations have been seldom spoken about internally after finishing at the foot of the Division 2 ladder this season – but Pearson is confident the club can bounce back.

“We’re assembling a list we think can compete,” he said.

“Realistically we’ve won two games since 2019. We’re in a position where we need to change the standards of the club and need to move in a direction that’s positive for the club and the community.

“When you get some of the players in that we’ve got there’s the expectation that we’ll be competitive and win, but at the end of the day it’s up to us as a playing and coaching group to determine the standards that we want to set.”