Local footy: VFL player Bruno Laguda signs with EDFL club East Keilor
Ambitious Essendon District Football League club East Keilor has secured a third major signing since the season was cancelled, with a classy VFL player who can fill multiple positions putting pen to paper.
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Bruno Laguda has played 15 games across three seasons for Essendon at VFL level.
Next year he will return to East Keilor as a one-point player in another significant shot in the arm for the ambitious Essendon District Football League club.
Laguda is hoping to retain his spot at state league level and will be available for the Cougars when he is not selected by the Bombers.
The 23-year-old made 11 appearances for Premier Division side Essendon Doutta Stars in 2019, earning seven mentions in the best, while he also played 10 matches in the VFL.
East Keilor coach Pat Christofi said the Calder Cannons best-and-fairest winner would add valuable leadership and versatility to the Division 1 outfit.
“He’s a very attacking midfielder, he also plays a lot off half-back and a forward as well,” Christofi said.
“He’s a player that’s capable of playing on all three lines. We can see him running out of the midfield, off the half-back line giving us drive and putting the ball deep into our forward line.
“There’s a lot of positives about Bruno and he’s not afraid to get his hands dirty. He’s one of those gutsy players.”
Christofi said Laguda was keen to reunite with some of his teammates from his junior days.
He is close friends with recruit Fabian Brancatisano, Ben Caluzzi, Ben Nicholl, Brenden Lucas and Mark Mazzeo.
“It’s been about trying to get all those one-point players who have got talent and left back to the footy club,” Christofi said.
“That’s what we’re achieving at the moment on the back of success.
“2019 has really set us up to attract all these kids back again. If you’re not winning, they’re not interested. The winning culture has brought them all back again.
“In these tough times, to get them back makes it even more special for us. We’re really excited by what’s happening.”
The Cougars lost the Division 1 decider to Craigieburn in 2019 and have made no secret of their intentions to earn promotion to the top flight.
Since the 2020 season was canned, the club has also secured ex-VFL player Brancatisano and reigning Hillside best-and-fairest Lockie Rayner.
The Cougars landed ex-AFL player Marc Lock, Tim Bongetti, Paul Scanlon, Kevin Klix, Lachlan Calder, Brandon Coletta, Victor Micallef, Tim Atkins and Mazzeo before the coronavirus crisis hit as it develops enviable depth.
“Division 1 isn’t our goal. We want to get to premier and do something when we get there,” Christofi said.
“This is just part of the build to where we’re heading.”
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