MPFNL: Mt Eliza signs former Box Hill Hawks captain Damian Mascitti

The Redlegs’ star signing has been dubbed “the recruit of the year” by some. Mt Eliza coach Rikki Johnston reveals how they got him, what he’ll bring and where he’ll play.

Damian Mascitti (left) shrugs a tackle while playing with Box Hill Hawks. Picture: Hamish Blair

The Mt Eliza “puzzle”, as new coach Rikki Johnston calls it, is falling into to place, piece by piece.

The Redlegs announced a huge signing on Saturday, locking in former Box Hill VFL captain Damian Mascitti as playing assistant coach.

The 31-year-old made his VFL reputation at Port Melbourne, where across seven seasons he established himself as top-line rebounding defender.

He crossed to Box Hill in 2019 and won the Hawks’ best and fairest, the Col Austen Trophy, in 2021.

Damian Mascitti takes a kick for Port Melbourne in 2014. Picture: Chris Eastman

The classy right-footer has relocated to the Mornington Peninsula and Mt Eliza trumped a string of MPFNL clubs by securing him.

“Damian has moved to Mt Eliza with his wife,” Johnston said.

“He’s actually going to start working with someone that’s involved with the club, so it’s a bit of a family tie with Damo’s wife.

“So a bit of luck.”

Johnston said Mt Eliza “prioritised” Mascitti when it draw up a recruiting shopping list.

“I sat down with Damian about five weeks ago and he’d let us know that he wanted to wait until after the VFL finals,” Johnston said.

“I think most clubs on the peninsula were trying to get in front of him and because he’s a really nice fella, it was probably overwhelming at times for him.

“He’s living a kilometre from the ground, he’s going to be working with (Redlegs co-captain) Braden Nelmes (and) Johnny Georgiou so I think it was the right fit on a number of fronts for him.”

Damian Mascitti has joined Mt Eliza. Picture: Facebook

Johnston said Mascitti’s value to Mt Eliza would be twofold, as a player and coach.

“There’s already a huge amount of young talent (at Mt Eliza),” he said.

“How could we kill two birds with one stone effectively and bring in a coach that would be able to impart a bit of wisdom on the ground but also during the week? And he’ll be huge in that space.”

Mascitti finished fourth in Box Hill Hawks’ best and fairest this season, despite missing four games.

He had 26 touches and kicked a goal in the preliminary final against Gold Coast a fortnight ago.

Johnston said Mascitti could play anywhere on the ground for Mt Eliza next season.

“He finished up playing on a wing at VFL level,” he said.

“He’s about that 191cm runner, he’s a lovely kick of the footy, it might be down back, you know it’s easy to see the game and coach from down there, but his strength is going to be his versatility, he can really go anywhere.”

There was a positive reaction among Mt Eliza supporters to the news of Mascitti’s signing.

Former player Justin Van Unen wrote on Facebook: “Good luck stopping this bloke. Elite on the field, even more elite off it Professionalism 101.”

Mt Eliza club great Mark “Moo” Glenn wrote: “What a pick up. Recruit of the year right there!”

And the Mt Eliza puzzle is set to add another important piece in the coming days, according to Johnston.

“I might have one for you over the next couple of days,’’ Johnston said on Sunday.

“We’ve got a bloke who’s overseas at the moment…I think he’ll be a pretty dominant player at this level. We’ll just sit on that one for now.’’

Mt Eliza had 12 wins and a draw this year to make it to the last three in MPFNL Division 1, losing to Frankston YCW in the preliminary final by 10 points.

The Redlegs are aiming to challenge reigning premiers Dromana in 2024.