EFNL 2024: Matt Mariani returns to Templestowe from Division 2 rival East Burwood

Templestowe has snared one of the premier midfielders of Eastern’s Division 2, with a three-time league medallist returning from a rival.

Matthew Mariani has returned to Templestowe after a stint at East Burwood. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

An Eastern league legend headlines the arrivals at Templestowe as it looks to address a first-week finals exit.

Matt Mariani has returned to Porter St from Division 2 rival East Burwood in an almighty lift for the Dockers’ midfield.

He won a third senior league best and fairest in 2019 to earn official legend status – after two of his gongs came at Templestowe (2014, ’16) where he last played in 2017.

The nuggety mid has played more than 250 senior matches across Templestowe, Whitehorse and East Burwood.

Templestowe senior coach Nick Batsanis said a personal connection helped land the triple-league medallist.

“I’ve known Matty for a long time – we actually played together through (Oakleigh) Chargers and played against each other a few times,” Batsanis said.

“He moves closer to the area (he lives in), the ducks aligned for him and I think he wants success.

“It wasn’t an easy one, but we spoke to him at the right time and we were able to get him.”

Templestowe coach Nick Batsanis. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

The Dockers have also injected some pace with the signing of wingman Connor Walsh, who has crossed from Elmore in the Heathcote District league following a three-year stop at Banyule in Northern’s Division 1.

Meanwhile, Stefan Papahronis and Giorgio Papahronis have signed from Premier Division club Doncaster East.

“(They’ll) provide us some better ball-use through the midfield and half-forward,” Batsanis said.

And there could be another gun recruit on the way according to the coach.

“We’ve got a plan to bring in a big forward, and we’re talking to a few at the moment.”

Templestowe crashed out of the premiership race after a 40-point elimination final loss to eventual runner-up Croydon.

It finished the home-and-away season in fifth with a 9-9 record, claiming the last spot in the finals on percentage.

Up to “95 per cent” of the list is set to be retained – headlined by Team of the Year ruckman and reigning best and fairest Beau Mitchener – but long-serving utility Matt Nagel has departed for Hurstbridge.

Batsanis said his side’s abrupt finals exit exposed some key areas to address.

“After the year we had, we had a hell of a lot of injuries … but what they did for us was basically just give us a better understanding of where we’re at,” Batsanis said.

“Now what we’re trying to do is bolster that list and depth so if we do have two or three injuries throughout the year, we’re not decimating the twos.

“We want to try and build a strong list, ones and twos, that can be successful at the pointy end of the year.”