EFNL Division 3 2023: Max Otten returns to Donvale

The Eastern league Division 3 heavy-hitter has received a big boost with a Premier Division name putting pen to paper.

DONVALE has landed a mid-season recruiting coup as it looks set for another Division 3 finals tilt.

The Magpies have secured Blackburn tall Max Otten, joining a raft of ex-Burners at the club.

Otten spent close to a decade at Premier Division level with Blackburn from 2014-2021, featuring in its 2019 grand final side.

He was snapped up by the Sydney Swans in the 2011 rookie draft before a stop at VFL outfit Box Hill, and last played with Donvale across 2012 and ’13.

The 30-year-old linked with Templestowe in Division 2 last year before returning to Blackburn ahead of this season.

Donvale sits second on the ladder with a 7-1 record – percentage off top spot – with a family connection landing Otten’s signature.

Max Otten in action for Blackburn. Picture: Davis Harrigan

“Max’s grandad was a foundation member of Donvale and his old man’s a life member, so they’ve always had a really strong association,” Donvale coach Kevin Collins said.

“We had this arrangement over the journey that he would come back and play at Donvale.

“We spoke to him two seasons ago about coming over.

“They (Otten’s family) played at Donvale and Max used to come down with his old man and watch the footy way back in the day.”

Collins said while Otten has the capacity to line up as a key post at either end of the ground, the former Oakleigh Chargers talent would slot into a defensive role.

He featured in Donvale’s reserves side last weekend after a transfer had been approved late last week – but Collins is keen to “get him in (the senior team) as soon as possible.”

“He’s a prolific kick and using him coming out of the backline is a huge plus for us,” Collins said.

“He can supplement a few of our players and help ‘Millsy’ (Nathan Mill) down in that role and bring a bit of calmness down there, and control the tempo.

“He becomes a bit of a weapon with his defence-first mentality that he has.”

Otten joins former Blackburn names Matt Day, James Pell, James Hanley and Mitch Brouwer at the club, who joined ahead of this season.

The Magpies finished runner-up in 2022 and have won five matches in a row following their 41-point win over Warrandyte on Saturday.

“Our form’s been pretty good, our ball-use has been good and we’ve played fast footy on big grounds,” Collins said.