Mernda secures Craigieburn premiership player Shannon Smith
Mernda lacked firepower at times in 2019 but the Demons hope Craigieburn premiership player Shannon Smith — plus three more recruits — can help boost their attacking threat in 2019.
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Mernda coach Rob Fletcher hopes a strong recruiting class can help the club break it’s NFL Division 3 finals drought.
The Demons have finished fifth the past two seasons and Fletcher is keen to strengthen a strong junior base with some experienced heads.
Fletcher was rapt to announce Craigieburn premiership winner Shannon Smith had agreed to terms at Waterview Reserve as a playing assistant coach.
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“Shannon’s a great get for us,” he said.
“He played some good footy for Lalor for a long time, won a flag, and he’s been at Craigieburn the last couple of years where he was lucky enough to win a flag this year.
“I knew he wanted to get into coaching, so he’ll be our midfield coach this season.
“He had some good coaching at Craigieburn — working with Lance (Whitnall) — so he’ll bring some good work ethics and game plans.”
Smith kicked 41 goals in 18 EDFL Division 1 games this season as a part of the Eagles’ high-octane offence.
Mernda struggled for scoring power at times in 2019, finishing sixth in points for, ahead of only Old Eltham, Lalor and Reservoir.
Smith will add some much needed experience having won a NFL Division 3 premiership with Lalor in 2007 and captaining the Bloods to the 2015 grand final.
Mernda have also added Lane Tucker from Thomastown, Zac Hill from Laurimar and Marc Young and Rupertswood.
“Marc’s a mid-forward who’ll bring experience as well.
“I coached Lane at Jacana when we won the flag in 2017, while young Zac was at Laurimar last year, he probably wasn’t 100 per cent committed, but he’s started running ready for a big pre-season.
Fletcher revealed there were more recruiting announcements on the way but was keeping his cards close to his chest until the ink was dry.
“We’ve recruited another four, which we haven’t announced yet, which we’ll do in the next week or two,” he said.
Contracted midfielder Brad Dimech claimed the Mernda best-and-fairest — after also being named in the NFL Division 3 Team of the Year — ahead of Tyson Sparkes and Anthony Bradford.
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