EFNL 2025: Late recruiting boost for Warrandyte ahead of Division 4 move

A package of recruits has landed at Warrandyte ahead of its move into a new division — with a country footy premiership name the latest signing.

Warrandyte coach Paul Donahoo. Picture: Davis Harrigan

It’s a late pre-season boost for Warrandyte ahead of its move into a new division.

The Bloods have been busily unveiling new talent in recent days – including a country premiership defender announced last night.

Will Nelson is the latest addition, joining the Bloods after three seasons with Ultima in the state’s northwest where he won a senior flag last year.

The backman links with cousin Jack Bradford at the Eastern Division 4 club.

“He brings some senior experience … he’s a rebounding defender who has some really nice delivery and poise in what we’ve seen so far,” Warrandyte senior coach Paul Donahoo said.

Running defender Cody Sewart (Panton Hill) has also signed alongside Nunawading pair Joey Kurban and Jordan Packer, and key position prospect Nick Pinkas has joined the club from Canberra. They join a raft of pre-Christmas inclusions.

Pinkas was another surprise according to the coach.

“Love it when a six-foot-four bloke walks in off the street,” Donahoo said.

“Nick hasn’t played footy for five years though … he last played up in Canberra.

“One thing we lack is a bit of height and size, and what we’ve seen so far, he’s shown a thirst to be competitive and have a crack – you can’t teach that stuff.

“We don’t know what the limit is for him, but we’re looking forward to finding out.”

Donahoo said Kurban and Packer would add versatility to the line-up following their move from a battling Nunawading outfit which has lost a bevy of senior players this off-season – and its senior coach.

“It’s unfortunate what’s happening there, and as a by-product they reached out, they’ve bought in culturally, they bring a lot of energy to the group, have a lot of fun with us and have fitted in seamlessly,” Donahoo said.

“They’ll have the ability to go across multiple positions for us.”

Sewart, touted for his sound footy brain, played 13 reserves matches in the Northern league’s Division 2 last season.

“He’s looking for senior opportunities, and he’s a skilful defender who can use the ball really well,” Donahoo said.

2024 captain Zak Carroll is set to go again this year. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Warrandyte was relegated from Division 3 at the end of last year after just two wins — but

pre-season has received a shake-up under former Melbourne co-captain Jack Grimes, who has overseen the Bloods’ fitness program.

“Our running and fitness blocks have been headed up by him, and that’s going to continue on,” Donahoo said.

“It’s breaking it up, it’s very footy-specific, we’re not running hundreds of kilometres but there’s a real focus on speed and burst work.

“Hopefully once we get into practice matches, we see an overall difference in fitness but also that football fitness that you tend to get away from sometimes.”

Warrandyte opens its season away to Bulleen Templestowe on April 5.