Local footy: Roxburgh Park locks in two key signings for 2021 EDFL season

The Magpies have boosted their scoring power with two big signings from a rival EDFL Division 1 club.

Raaf Rachrache has made the move to Roxburgh Park. Picture: Jamie Morey

Roxburgh Park has secured a significant injection of firepower after landing two players from an Essendon District Football League Division 1 rival.

Raaf Rachrache and Matt Patane have put pen to paper with the Magpies in a boost to their hopes of climbing the ladder.

The pair were Hillside’s two most prolific goalkickers in 2019, with Patane contributing 27 goals and Rachrache 22.

Rachrache finished fourth in the Sharks’ best-and-fairest last year and has also had stints with Hadfield, Pascoe Vale and South Morang, steering the Hawks to the EDFL Division 2 premiership in 2015 as playing coach.

The forward/midfielder has taken up a playing assistant role at his new club.

Coach Micheal Farrelly said the role Roxburgh Park offered the star recruit proved attractive, while Rachrache is also close friends with several club members.

Roxburgh Park coach Micheal Farrelly. Picture: Josie Hayden

“In my time at Roxy it’s one of the biggest gets, if not the biggest get, we’ve had,” Farrelly said.

“To get someone from a higher level than us, with regards to the amount of footy he’s played in Division 1 and the leadership and being a vice-captain, just the calibre of character he is … that’s pretty hard to obtain, especially in a year where there’s a pretty strict cap in place too.

“I think it was a matter of finding a place for him where he could share his talent on and off field but also grow and learn from us as well.

“We’ve hit it off early with regards to creating a strong bond with one another – not just myself but the other coaches as well – and that certainly helps when you’ve got that confidence behind you.”

Patane has kicked 77 goals for Hillside in the past three seasons and booted 73 majors for Hadfield in 2015.

He returns to the Magpies as a one-point player and will bolster an attacking half which was in need of more options.

“Obviously the fact he’s a one-pointer coming home is a real advantage for us,” Farrelly said of Patane.

Luke Capuano was Roxburgh Park’s leading goalkicker last season, finishing with 36 goals, but he lacked support with Brandon McLarty (12) and skipper Harley Short (11) the next best.

Big man Ryan Micallef is also set to spend time forward in 2021, while Andrew Marino crossed from Mernda before the season was cancelled.

Glenroy premiership player Trent Fisher is another key signing and will bring Premier Division experience.

Best-and-fairest winner Brad Dimech, new playing assistant Matt Coomans, ex-Northern Saints skipper Daniel Boudoloh, Nathan Reichelt, Brenden Egberts, Matt Maccarone and Tom Mason have also linked up with the Magpies since the end of the 2019 campaign.

“If we can get everyone on the park and they’re all healthy, we’ll be lucky to have half the side from 2019,” Farrelly said.

After winning the Division 2 flag in 2018, Roxburgh Park scored three wins in its first season in Division 1 to avoid relegation.

“I certainly think we’re a stronger side than what we were 18 or so months ago,” Farrelly said.

“I think we were really competitive (in 2019) – not just by talent but I think we were really competitive at times because of the hunger of the group.

“Time will tell and you’ll hope the hunger hasn’t gone away and been replaced by complacency because we’ve picked up some good players, but I think we’re well poised to be a bit more competitive.

“I guess we’re better placed to be well-respected. Along with recruiting comes a sense of other clubs thinking we’re also going to be more competitive.

“That free ride we got (last year), the new team on the block, that’s gone now. Sides probably won’t take us as easy.”

The Magpies will face Sunbury Kangaroos in Round 1 on April 10.