Local footy: Nick Meese re-signs at Aberfeldie for 2021 EDFL season
The headline signing of last off-season will be in an Aberfeldie jumper next year as coach Adam Potter provides an update on his senior squad.
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Prized signing Nick Meese will don an Aberfeldie jumper in 2021.
The champion VFL ruckman put pen to paper with the Essendon District Football League powerhouse last November and has re-committed.
The 195cm Meese called time on his decorated state league career at the end of the 2019 campaign after starring for Williamstown and Northern Blues.
Meese established himself as the competition’s leading big man in 162 games at VFL level and made a habit of taking down AFL-listed opponents.
He was a member of the Seagulls’ 2015 flag, claimed their best-and-fairest in 2017 and earned Team of the Year honours in six consecutive seasons.
Aberfeldie coach Adam Potter, who was a senior assistant at Williamstown before taking on the top job at the Premier Division club, said he had little doubt Meese would stay put at Clifton Park.
“I’ve had a connection with Nick previously and staying in contact with him throughout … he’s just really keen to wear the Two Blues jumper,” Potter said.
“It was really a no-brainer for him (to re-sign) in terms of training throughout the pre-season and getting to know the players.
“I don’t think it was ever in doubt he was going to play in 2021.”
Potter said Meese had fitted in well at Abers before the 2020 season was canned amid the coronavirus crisis.
Meese has won plaudits for his ability to follow up his tap work and make a sizeable impact, and he is set to be a significant plus for a side which came up eight points short to Keilor in last year’s grand final.
The star recruit is set to lock horns with the likes of Greenvale’s Fabian Deluca and Strathmore’s Andrew Vavra in the top flight.
“He’s such a professional in knowing his own body and what he needs to do,” Potter said.
“He’s not the sort of player I really have to give too much advice to. He’s managed his own body in terms of pre-seasons for a number of years now and knows what works.
“He was around the guys at training, there was plenty of energy and plenty of banter. He’s got a great personality, Nick, and he’s already fitted in well, but there’s nothing like playing a game with the boys you’ve trained with all summer. I know he’s looking forward to that in 2021.”
Three-time premiership captain Luke Davis, reigning best-and-fairest winner Sam Cattapan and runner-up Victor Carboni have also re-signed for next season.
Potter said he was hopeful the bulk of his senior squad would remain, with 2015 Williamstown premiership players Peter Faulks and David Fahey also putting pen to paper earlier this year before a line was ruled through the season.
Faulks was also listed by AFL clubs Fremantle and Sydney, while Fahey has returned.
Premiership player Tom McConville (back from Seymour) and Lachie Langwell (East Keilor) also trained over summer and were set to make their returns to the club.
“Again, it’s that notion of (securing former) Aberfeldie juniors who played some good senior footy for us,” Potter said.
“Tom was a premiership player and decided to try something different. We will never turn anyone away, and when it came to coming back, conversations were had. It’s a no-brainer for us that we’ll always welcome Aberfeldie people back to their homes.
“We’re hopeful that will continue with players such as Lachie and Tom wanting to play with Aberfeldie.”
Abers have lost Luke Blackwell, Jacob Craven, Jess Rush, Mitch Andrews, Jaryd Cachia, Jean Luc-Velissaris, Josh Pound, James Peters and Jorden Braddy since their grand final defeat.
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