EFNL: Balwyn secures Levi Greenwood, Josh Walker and Tim McIntyre

New Balwyn coach Brenton Sanderson’s pulling power is on display after the Tigers landed a stunning recruiting haul headlined by three former AFL players.

AFL Round 4. 10/04/2021. Collingwood v Greater Western Sydney at the MCG. Levi Greenwood of the Magpies . Pic: Michael Klein

Balwyn has been busy.

Recently appointed Tigers coach Brenton Sanderson has wasted no time in strengthening his 2023 outfit with a plethora of comprehensive recruits.

The Tigers have added former AFL-trio Josh Walker, Levi Greenwood and Tim McIntyre to the mix, alongside VFL-listed young guns Louis Cunningham and Charlie McKay.

Additionally, Sanderson has inserted local players Tristan Van Driel, Michael Locco and Fraser Hicks as well.

While Good Friday against Blackburn will be Sanderson’s first taste of the Eastern footy league, he is confident that his list has what it takes to contend.

“Combining those guys with a well-established squad, I think we’re going to be pretty hard to beat,” he said.

“It’s hard for me to gauge, but I am a positive coach so I will be optimistic with how we will go, it’s a really strong league.

“Balwyn was probably unlucky to get some injuries to some key players last year, but the expectation with Balwyn is that we are going to win, it’s a strong mindset and winning culture.

“Even in my short time at the club, you don’t talk about competing, the mindset is that you come to Balwyn to be in a great culture and to win.

“We will be humble, but the expectations are that we are going to try and compete with those top sides from last year… we’re definitely not there to make up the numbers.

“For me, accepting the role, I want to enjoy being a part of that great culture, but the expectations are that we are going to have a culture that wins.”

New Balwyn Brenton Sanderson is looking to make an immediate impact. Picture: Michael Klein

With Charlie Haley (53 goals in 2022) and Jordan Lisle (51) now being joined by exciting forwards McIntyre and Van Driel, the Tigers forward line is going to stretch the back half of most sides.

But with that forward line fire power in mind, Sanderson is expressing the importance of balance to his unit.

“There’s definitely going to be a balance,” he revealed.

“We will take the game on — on both sides of the ball, we will play aggressive defensively, but we will take the game on in offence as well.

“We won’t be playing safe or rolling numbers back, we will be really aggressive with how we defend and attack.

“We have a strong, potent forward line, there’s probably no point wasting time switching the ball around down back, we will be trying to attack in the earliest chains possible.

“But we also have to make sure we tackle, chase and have a squad that really values how important defence is as well.

“You have to create turnovers in your front half to score the other way, so that will sort of be our mantra.”

Balwyn will host Blackburn in a Good Friday stand-alone on April 7.