Macedon unveils a swag of off-season recruits, including former AFL-listed big man Rowan Andrews
The return of Macedon coach Al Meldrum has seen a host of Cats premiership players return for 2020, while three crucial recruits have followed from Avoca, including a former AFL-listed big man.
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New Macedon coach Al Meldrum has brought with him a swag of off-season recruits, headlined by a former AFL-listed ruckman.
Star big man Tom Waters returned to coach his junior club, RDFL rivals Lancefield, at the end of the season and the Cats wasted no time finding a replacement in Rowan Andrews.
Andrews was rookie-listed by Adelaide in 2003, has experience at SANFL, VFL and NEAFL level and played with Meldrum at Maryborough Castlemaine league club Avoca this year.
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Mitch Thar and Dan Trajanovski have also followed Meldrum from Avoca in a significant boost to the Cats’ midfield.
“A ruckman was a big priority for us,” Meldrum said.
“(Rowan’s) a big in for us because the club’s been very fortunate to have someone of the quality of Tom for the last few years.
“He’s got a lot of experience, very durable, tall, strong and a beautiful set of hands.”
A Macedon junior, Meldrum coached Heathcote to a premiership in 2009 before returning to the Cats from 2010-16, which included a stint in the top job between 2011-13.
The favourite son’s return to Tony Clarke Reserve has seen several of Macedon’s 2017 premiership players come back.
Four-time Deer Park WRFL premiership-winner Shaun Harrison is among them, Jack Kernan has returned after a season at VAFA Premier B outfit Monash Blues, while Jack Mills, Sam Kenealy and Luke Tebble have all signed on after time out of the game.
Meldrum said securing not only good players but good people was critical to the club’s success.
“When it came to targeting players we wanted on the list it was a no-brainer for me … Shaun Harrison, Jack Mills and Jack Kernan – those sorts of guys – were a priority for me,” he said.
“It’s been really good meeting some of the guys that I haven’t had anything to do with, getting to know them and building relationships.”
Since winning the flag, the Cats have finished fifth and sixth, bowing out of this year’s premiership race to eventual premier Rupertswood in an elimination final.
Captain James Wright claimed his fifth best-and-fairest award after another outstanding season that saw him named in the RDFL Team of the Year along with Waters, Matt Hutchesson and Jason Cooke.
For all the latest news from the Northern Football League and other suburban competitions over the off-season, log on to localfooty.com.au