EFNL 2023: Dean Limbach bags seven in Eastern league return for Templestowe

A mid-season recruit with hundreds of goals to his name has hit the ground running in his return to the Eastern league ranks, kicking a bag on Saturday.

One of local football’s most prominent spearheads of the past decade certainly didn’t look out of place in his Eastern league return on Saturday.

Former Williamstown VFL forward Dean Limbach bagged seven majors in Templestowe’s 14.15 (99) to 3.8 (26) win over Knox in Division 2.

A transfer had been approved from Outer East club Mt Evelyn late last week for the 36-year-old, who has kicked more than 800 goals in a career spanning more than 250 games across several clubs according to the PlayHQ database.

Some of his most recent stops include Tullamarine, Diamond Creek and Craigieburn, last playing in the Eastern league in 2016 for Doncaster East.

Dean Limbach in action for Craigieburn. He was drafted to Richmond in 2004. Picture: Jamie Morey

Templestowe senior coach Anthony McGregor said Limbach lives locally and sought to link up with former Doncaster East teammate Nick Batsanis at the club.

“He (Limbach) believes he’s still got a lot to offer, which he certainly does,” McGregor said.

“He approached Nick and all the ducks aligned and we were fortunate enough to grab a key signing almost at the halfway mark.

“We did all our due diligence with our playing group in regards to thoughts on coming straight into seniors and everyone was all for it.

“It was great to see him kick a bag yesterday ... he’s a very good instructor, talker and you get more than just a goalkicker.”

Inside midfielder Michael Fogarty was named best afield in the 73-point win.

“He gets belted from pillar to post by multiple opposition and he keeps standing up,” McGregor said.

“He wins the footy for us, gets it from the bottom and gets it out.

“Doesn’t get looked after very much, but he’s no fuss and probably the hardest worker in the comp I reckon, by a fair way.”

Matt Nagel booted three majors for the Dockers while Sam Goyne kicked two for Knox, as Harrison Greaves and Jack Martin finished in the Falcons’ best.

The victory lifts Templestowe to a 5-2 record and fourth spot while Knox remains winless after seven matches.

Templestowe 3.13 6.11 10.14 14.15 (99)

Knox 1.3 1.4 2.6 3.8 (26)

Templestowe

Goals:

D. Limbach 7, M. Nagel 3, B. Watson 2, T. Ryan, S. Schwarzer

Best:

M. Fogarty, C. Giovannini, D. Limbach, J. Harrowell, S. Schwarzer, A. Brown

Knox

Goals:

S. Goyne 2, B. O’Brien

Best:

H. Greaves, J. Martin, C. Heppell, T. Gardiner, J. Love, D. Strapp