Mornington Peninsula league: Crib Point secures recruits ahead of Division 2 season

Crib Point has secured a package of recruits, including a one-time AFL draft prospect and a Southern league premiership star.

Josh Le Grice kicks a goal for the Sandringham Dragons. Picture: Andy Brownbill

The recruits have landed at Crib Point, setting up an exciting 2023 season for the Magpies in MPFNL Division 2.

Pakenham trio Liam, Eli and Kane Tyrell head the new arrivals, along with one-time AFL draft prospect Josh Le Grice and Chelsea Heights premiership hero Ryan Odell.

Liam Tyrell is a former Pakenham club captain who is on Casey Demons VFL list.

A friendship with Crib Point’s Miles Shepherd, who is also on Casey Demons’ list, got him to Cribby.

“Liam formed a pretty strong friendship with Miles Shepherd,” Crib Point coach Andrew Gilmour said.

“He looked like he was on the move from Pakenham and we just organised a few phone calls, a training session and he said, ‘I’m going to bring my brother (Eli) down if that’s alright’, and I said, ‘yeah of course’.

“And then their cousin Kane turned up as well. They’re three ripping blokes.”

Kane Tyrrell (right) goes up for Pakenham. Picture: David Crosling

Liam Tyrell is a key position player, who can take a big grab, while Eli is a tall wingman/flanker, who moves well.

Kane Tyrell is a smaller forward, “a quality footballer’’.

Crib Point has also secured one-time AFL draft prospect Josh Le Grice, a versatile, attacking player.

Le Grice came through the Sandringham Dragons and was on Box Hill Hawks VFL list.

He played with Old Brighton Grammarians last year, and has been playing in Darwin over summer.

“He’s another one with a great head on his shoulders, has trained at a high level, has great skills, strong body,” Gilmour said.

“He’s an attacking half back and he can play up forward and kick goals.”

Ryan Odell takes a kick for Chelsea Heights. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Crib Point’s midfield has been boosted by the arrival of Chelsea Heights premiership hero Ryan Odell.

He was best-on-ground in the Demons’ grand final victory in Southern league Division 2 last season.

“He will be one of our senior mids, he will be a really important part of our midfield going forward,” Gilmour said.

“He was best-on for Chelsea Heights in a premiership win last season.

“Him and Josh (Le Grice) were the first two blokes we went after because I wanted some good inside mids, good bodies and experienced footballers.

“We needed some A grade talent around the quality we already had — Cooper Wisken, Jett Bauer, the developing local talent — they just needed a bit of support in there.”

Crib Point’s other additions are Jacob Collins, who has returned from West Brunswick, Trav Young (from Devon Meadows) and Mornington full-back James Turnbull.

Gilmour agreed the additions are Crib Point’s best recruiting haul in years.

“Since I’ve been there, definitely,’’ he said.

“I think we had to build something that people wanted to come to and I feel like it’s there now.

“The blokes we’ve recruited have said, ‘yeah, I’ve looked at the results and seen how close you were in games’, and that was our season last year, so close, so often. So I think they saw the potential in what we created last year.’’

Crib Point’s main losses are Jayden Deas (to Meeniyan Dumbalk United in the Mid-Gippsland league) and Josh McCarthy, who has landed a job in Darwin.