EFNL 2023: Jack Bradford, Bryce Scoullar, Josh Peers join Warrandyte

It had been a busy off-season of recruiting for Eastern Division 3 club Warrandyte – but its most recent signings are set to star. Here’s why.

It is a trio that could have an immediate impact in the Eastern league’s Division 3.

Warrandyte’s recent signings of Jack Bradford (Glenroy, EDFL), Bryce Scoullar and Josh Peers (both Deniliquin) have complemented a busy off-season of recruiting according to senior coach Paul Donahoo.

Bradford is slated for a role on the wing after playing in the EDFL’s Premier Division, while Scoullar, a former Bendigo Pioneer, will slot into a ruck role. Peers will add grunt to the midfield, the coach says.

Bryce Scoullar, pictured in action for Deniliquin, had been in demand from higher division clubs according to the Warrandyte coach. Picture: Deniliquin Pastoral Times

The trio’s inclusion follows the arrivals of former VFL-listed midfielder Kieran Malone, ex-top Eastern league division name Zak Carroll and Montmorency swingman Lachie O’Brien among a host of new names at the preliminary finalist.

“They’re the cherry on top,” Donahoo said of Bradford, Scoullar and Peers.

“We knew there was always a chance with these guys because they know the club and have been training with us for a while, and to have that come through it’s good to see we were building the right culture throughout the year.”

Donahoo said Scoullar, who has played most of his senior football with Seymour, could have a devastating impact in his first Eastern league season.

“I reckon he’s going to be probably the premier ruckman getting around in the comp, and we’ve already got a decent one,” he said.

“I knew a few other clubs were into Bryce especially, from higher divisions.”

Bradford played 13 matches for Glenroy last season and is set to add plenty of speed to the Bloods.

“Pre-Christmas, we actually had the first-ever ‘Warrandyte Gift’, and he beat me in the final,” Donahoo said.

“He’s got a bit of speed and a bit of outside run.”

Donahoo said Peers’ inclusion would make for tough competition for spots through the midfield.

Peers won a premiership with Blighty in the Picola & District league in 2019 and was named best afield.

“He’s a little bulldog – he loves the hard stuff, tackling and that sort of stuff and he’ll be on the bottom of packs,” Donahoo said.

“We lost Mitch Buckley and he’s a premier on-baller, but going through there now, you’ve got the likes of Chris Tout, Luke Shelton, Tom Grimes, Zak Carroll, then guys like (Kieran) Malone and (Lachie) O’Brien who can float in.

“We saw what having a good reserves team does last year, and that really spurred us along as a club and we want to do that again.”

Warrandyte hosts 2022 grand finalist Donvale in Round 1 on Saturday, April 1.