MPFNL: What to expect from Rikki Johnston’s Redlegs in 2024
Mt Eliza’s new coach has given a rundown on key recruits and revealed his side’s “biggest challenge” as it embarks on a big MPNFL Division 1 campaign.
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Rikki Johnston drove into Emil Madsen Reserve at 1 o’clock on Monday, unlocked the changerooms and began pumping up about 20 footballs ahead of Mt Eliza’s return to training.
A big 2024 was underway.
And Johnston, Mt Eliza’s new senior coach, was full of hope and energy, eager to get cracking.
It’s shaping as an exciting season for Mt Eliza, which made it to the preliminary final of MPFNL Division 1 last season under coach Stephen Battle.
“Bratts” relinquished the role, the club announcing a succession plan of sorts last April to allow former Dromana premiership coach Johnston a long run up to 2024.
It’s meant Johnston has had time to form strong relationships with the players and formulate a game plan that will bring success.
Mt Eliza undoubtedly has the talent to break a premiership drought that dates back to 2005. Now it’s up to Johnston and his players to make it happen.
With a couple of handpicked recruits, and a stable list, the Redlegs are aiming for the top in ‘24.
Former VFL ruckman and league medalist Chris Carey is an A-grade recruit for the Mt Eliza.
Johnston says he will be one of the best ruckmen in the league.
“He’ll be a Billy Geurts type ruckman but he’s a bit older, he’s 28,’’ Johnston said.
“He’s just a big boy, he’s won league medals, he’s played VFL, he’s been around a bit.
“He just kind of, I won’t say he fell into our lap, but he grew up with Fraser Phillips and Tom Kelly at Warragul, they all know each other…he was pretty keen to come and have a kick which was great.’’
Johnston says the importance of a quality ruckman is massive and the Redlegs have “struck gold” with Carey.
“They’re either wanting ridiculous amounts of money or they’re not the right types of fellas you want to bring into your club. We’ve struck gold,’’ he said.
Former Box Hill VFL captain Damian Mascitti is the Redlegs’ other key signing.
Johnston said Carey and Mascitti will bring experience and leadership.
“They’re just not out there, those sort of people, players…they’re still playing good footy, in their prime and they have that kid of coaching side as well and they’re good people,’’ he said.
“I think in my first year at Dromana we brought in some of the wrong types of people because we were so desperate to recruit players and you look past a lot of the other stuff.
“We had the luxury here (at Mt Eliza) of saying, ‘we’re going to pick two or three that really fit the bill. And then anything outside of that is not really for us’. Plus we don’t really have the points or the cap to do it anyway, so it’s pretty easy.’’
Johnston said the next couple of months was all about educating Mt Eliza’s players in readiness for Round 1.
“The greatest challenge for us is going to be getting all the game plan education into the guys, getting them playing together,’’ he said.
Mt Eliza hosts Frankston YCW in the season opener on April 6.
Mt Eliza’s players to watch in 2024:
Nathan Scagliarini
Braden Nelmes
Finlay Bayne
Sam Mourney
Mitch Smith
Will Lambert
Nathan Jones
Lochie Fewster
Trent Matthews
Declan Cole
Chris Carey
Damian Mascitti
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