Former AFL star, leadership group re-commits at Montmorency for 2021
Montmorency coach Garry Ramsay is confident of retaining his playing list with the Magpies eyeing a drought-breaking premiership and the return of a former AFL star will be critical.
Local Footy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Montmorency’s premiership ambition will keep the playing list together, coach Garry Ramsay says.
The Magpies will have to slash its 2020 salary cap by $100,000 for next season but the respected mentor believes the opportunity to win a flag is a bigger incentive.
Helping that cause will be the return of former AFL star Ben Kennedy, who has recommitted for 2021.
2021: WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO IN THE NFL
LEADER: GET YOUR NORTHERN FOOTY NEWS HERE
2010s: NFL’S MOST DOMINANT TEAMS OF THE DECADE
The Magpies leadership group – Jesse Donaldson, Ben Walton, Steve McCallum, Michael Fitzgerald, Billy Jenkin and Patrick Fitzgerald – are also locked in.
Ramsay admits there were some difficult discussions but believed the NFL Division 1 club was on the verge of something special.
“It’s a big change in the salary cap but probably the one thing with our older fellas is the longing for a premierships,” he said.
“I feel we’re making really good progress so the hope of the premiership still hangs over the heads of few players.
“They’re excited by where we are with a lot of young kids, so whatever the salary cap situation is we’re ready to embrace it.”
Former Collingwood and Carlton sharp-shooter Alex Fasolo was Montmorency’s headline recruit for 2020.
He’s future remains unclear as the club continues to work through its list and salary cap restrictions.
Ramsay said he would “definitely” be in charge of the magnet board in 2021 after a successful first season in charge in 2019, leading the Magpies to finals for the first time in five years.
The NFL representative coach was looking forward to seeing the development his young players had made despite not playing a game this year.
“There’s a lot of really good young kids coming up that are going to be another year older,” he said.
“The age demographic of our group will have a big slice between 19 and 22.
“Last year we had a lot of kids that probably looked liked kids but they’ve put on weight and 18 months on we’ll definitely look a lot bigger and stronger.
“Realistically, with what’s happened with the salary cap there’s probably not a lot of room for recruiting.
“Our No.1 goal is to hold onto everyone we’ve got and we were always comfortable with where our list was this year.”