EFNL 2024: High hopes for Kilsyth signing Sam Meadows
A late key signing has buoyed Kilsyth ahead of its Eastern Division 4 campaign, as the club looks to go one better this season following a grand final loss last year.
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He arrives on the recommendation of one of local footy’s most travelled stars.
High hopes surround new Kilsyth signing Sam Meadows ahead of the club’s Division 4 campaign, who has crossed from Powelltown in the Outer East league.
The 24-year-old featured in Powelltown’s 2022 Division 2 premiership, missing out on its second straight crown last season due to injury.
Kilsyth senior coach Simon Caldwell said gun forward recruit Justin Van Unen pointed the club in the direction of Meadows, who also boasts Premier Division experience with Norwood.
Van Unen played alongside Meadows at Powelltown.
“Juzzy’s played at a lot of clubs and he said he’s (Meadows) one of the best players he’s played with,” Caldwell said.
“(He said) Sam Meadows would be the ideal kid because he’s such an elite ball-user and a really good leader.”
Meadows, who made Outer East’s Division 2 Team of the Year last season, “can play anywhere” according to Caldwell.
“Third tall, small, he usually plays off half-back but we’re looking to play him a bit more through the midfield than what he did last year,” Caldwell said.
“He played some games at Norwood in 2021 (and) having played Premier Division, he’s got some pretty good experience.
“Seeing him on the track, he’s a great decision-maker and knows his footy – he’s going to be a ripping player for us, I think.”
A date with Chirnside Park awaits this weekend to begin the season, after Kilsyth fell to Surrey Park in last year’s decider.
Chirnside Park entered last year’s finals series on a nine-game winning streak before a first-week exit at the hands of Scoresby.
It has recruited handily this off-season, headlined by former Croydon and Silvan sharpshooter Justin Ficorilli.
“They’ll be a big test for us,” Caldwell said.
“They’re the red-hot (flag) favourites everyone’s saying, and they’ve got about 10 or 12 new blokes.
“We still think we’re on the right path and we think we can match anyone in the comp … but there’s no guarantees in anything.”
Round 1, Saturday, April 6: Kilsyth vs. Chirnside Park at Pinks Reserve, Kilsyth.
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