EFNL 2023: Ex-North Melbourne midfielder Kayne Turner joins Balwyn

His papers were stamped at Arden St last month after 130 matches stretching almost a decade – but Kayne Turner has found a new home.

Kayne Turner has landed in the Eastern league’s Premier Division. Photo by Michael Klein.

BALWYN has made its first major signing of the off-season with the addition of a former AFL Kangaroo.

Kayne Turner has agreed to terms with the Eastern league powerhouse, linking with ex-Adelaide coach and current Tigers mentor Brenton Sanderson.

The midfielder was delisted in October after almost a decade at North Melbourne, playing 130 games from 2014-2023.

Sanderson said Turner’s connection to Balwyn forward and ex-Kangaroos teammate Josh Walker helped secure the 27-year-old’s signature.

Kayne Turner put pen to paper at Balwyn on Wednesday night. Picture: Supplied

“It was sort of a combination of his relationship with Josh Walker … and I guess like most community clubs we’re eager to keep making our list stronger,” Sanderson said.

“He decided that he wasn’t going to pursue his AFL career any further and didn’t have any interest in dropping back a level and playing in the VFL.

“All these boys are highly sought-after – with attracting good AFL talent at community level it’s always a challenge, but Balwyn’s a club which has always been able to attract good players.

“We’re grateful he’s chosen our club.”

The former Murray Bushranger was selected by the ‘Roos with pick No. 25 in the 2014 rookie draft.

Kicking 61 goals in his time at AFL level, Sanderson was hopeful Turner would add further firepower to the Balwyn attack.

“He can play anywhere – in the front half, back or through the midfield – he’s all class,” Sanderson said.

“His AFL career was best suited to him when he was in that front half, but he’s such a good player and I’m sure he’s going to spend plenty of time in the midfield for us and hopefully kick some goals when he gets his hands on it inside 50.”

Turner’s addition comes amid an off-season of change at Cherry Rd, with Balwyn waving goodbye to premiership defender Kris Pendlebury who’ll coach Edithvale-Aspendale next season, while mainstays Aaron Britten and Fraser Hicks are also among the key omissions, joining Shepparton United.

“It’s disappointing, but the player movement is something we’ve got to live with,” Sanderson said.

“We lose a couple of boys back to their country clubs and obviously Pendlebury’s career is one of the greatest in Balwyn’s history.

“He (Pendelbury) was just such an important player for such a long time but we wish him all the best in his coaching career and the next chapter in his footy journey.

“He’s almost impossible to replace and it’s going to be really hard to find a full-back of his ability.

“Britten and Hicks were really important players for us this year – they’re two as well which are hard to replace but we continue to look for opportunities with other payers.

“Hopefully we can continue to strengthen our team in the next few weeks and once the season comes around, hopefully we’ll be even stronger than last year.”

The Tigers finished the home-and-away season in third spot with a 14-4 record, before a semi-final exit at the hands of Doncaster East.

Sanderson said the club would continue to invest in its youth in its bid to bridge the gap on its rivals.

“We won 14 and lost four, so there’s not much that’s broken,” he said.

“You’ve just got to take your opportunities when they come – we had a really poor final against Doncaster East but we know they’re a strong team with plenty of talent as well.

“We’ll just keep looking to bring some of our young kids in – we’ve got some really good under-19s players and some boys that played reserves who, with another summer, will look to take the next step as well.

“I think that (juniors) is probably where the strongest clubs continue to get better.”