MPFNL 2023: Jake Aarts makes immediate impact with Dromana

The ex-AFL Tiger has racked up eye-popping numbers already for Dromana, despite added attention. His coach explains why he’s about to get “even more damaging”.

Jake Aarts has racked up 63 possessions in Dromana’s first two matches. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

He’s been attracting plenty of attention.

And Jake Aarts has also been finding plenty of the ball in his first two games for Dromana in Division 1 of the Mornington Peninsula league.

Playing mostly in the midfield, the former Richmond livewire has racked up 63 possessions (second most in the league) in Dromana’s wins over Red Hill and Bonbeach.

He had 35 touches against Bonbeach on Saturday, despite a hard tag.

Aarts also ranks No. 1 in the league for clearances with 17.

“He’s obviously getting a bit of heat from the opposition, he’s coming under scrutiny from them,” Dromana coach Matt Price said.

“But on the weekend he was super.

“He’s been playing midfield mostly, a bit forward, but he hasn’t hit the scoreboard yet.

“He’s just been playing a lot around the footy.

“His leadership has been really good and his instruction has been really good for us.”

Jake Aarts celebrates a goal for Richmond. Pic: Michael Klein

Price said Aarts would only get better as the season drew on.

“It will take him a few weeks to find the level as well, just to get used to the speed,” he said.

“But he’s settled in really well with the group.

“He’ll find his feet and work out his running patterns compared to Richmond from last year and once he does that, he’ll get even more of the ball and be more damaging.”

Dromana made the finals last season but Price said his side was “definitely” better in 2023.

“We haven’t lost anyone really and we’ve gained a fair bit,’’ he said.

“And just the guys who’ve come in give us a bit more scoring power.

“So we’re probably still the same defensively and the same around the ground and at stoppages and stuff like that but we’re just able to score a bit heavier. If you kick 13 or 14 goals a week you’ll probably win most weeks and that’s probably where we’ve found ourselves in the first two games.”

Jordy Andrews has started the season strongly. Picture: dromanaman

Jordy Andrews has kicked seven goals to top the competition goal chart after two rounds.

“Last year when we got him we probably didn’t have much to help him out whereas we’ve seen this year in the first two weeks with more support he’s able to hit the scoreboard a bit more,’’ Price said.

“He’s straightened us up.’’

But Price said Dromana had “a lot of work to do’’ on its forward line.

“Our whole front six, apart from Jordy, is different,’’ he said.

“But once it comes together over the next few weeks it will only improve.’’

Ex-Collingwood VFL forward Sam Fowler and former Gold Coast Suns AFL-listed Sam Fletcher are playing with Dromana full-time in 2023.

The brilliant Ethan Johnstone is back with the Tigers and Crib Point recruit Luke Oborn has started strongly.

Dromana meets local rivals Rosebud, at Rosebud, in Round 3 on Saturday.