Local footy: Tullamarine signs Dean Limbach for 2021 EDFL season

A former AFL-listed forward who has booted 100 goals in a season at local level several times has found a new EDFL club.

Star forward Dean Limbach has landed at Tullamarine. Picture: Jamie Morey

Premiership contender Tullamarine will boast a potent three-pronged attack next season after signing proven goalkicker Dean Limbach.

Limbach was set to play for Airport West in 2020 but has switched clubs after securing employment through Demons president Peter Labbad.

The veteran will be a familiar face for Essendon District Football League Division 1 backmen after booting 84 majors from 18 games for Craigieburn in 2018, while he has topped the 100-goal mark on several occasions.

Limbach also spent two years on Richmond’s list after taken in the 2004 national draft but did not make an appearance at the elite level.

He has since caused defenders myriad headaches in high-level country and suburban leagues.

Limbach will join Brad Allen and Ryan Pretty, who booted 81 goals between them in 2019, in what shapes as a dangerous forward line.

Tullamarine has also gained dual Craigieburn premiership player Sam Laffan and Jacob Osei-Duro from Thomastown since the end of the 2019 campaign.

Demons coach David Connell said it was a “bonus” to recruit Limbach, who has committed for two years.

Tullamarine coach David Connell. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“It was probably more work-related that’s got everything across the line,” Connell said.

“We felt like our firepower up forward had got stronger, and this just complements that.

“Ryan Pretty and Brad Allen are normally in the top five or six in the goalkicking. To get another guy into the mix who’s going to be in that top five as well is handy.”

Limbach had a disjointed 2019 season because of personal issues, playing two games for Craigieburn before crossing to Diamond Creek, where he made three appearances.

Connell said Limbach was hungry after spending almost two years off the field.

“From the conversations I’ve had with him, he’s pretty driven and eager to get back to that (form of) 2018 when he kicked nearly 90 goals,” he said.

“He had a little bit stuff going on that he’s got sorted now away from footy.

“Being back with full-time job and a bit more stability will be good for him as well.”

Since the 2020 season was canned, Tullamarine has boosted its defence with the signings of Kirk Lang and Dom Micallef, while Russell Laurie has returned to the club.

Rhys Clarke (Seymour), James Duell (Pascoe Vale), Michael Gatt, Cooper Perry (both East Keilor), Liam Lucas and Michael Dalrymple (both Oak Park) are also set to take the field for the Demons for the first time in 2021.

“We don’t think we could have done too much better,” Connell said.

Tullamarine is set to face West Coburg in Round 1 on April 10, with the Burgers announcing the signing of former Collingwood and Melbourne player Lynden Dunn earlier this month.