MPNFL 2019: Mt Eliza’s Freeman brothers join Eastern Football League clubs

Mt Eliza’s Freeman brothers are on the move to Eastern Football League clubs.

Tom Freeman, pictured with the ball playing for Mt Eliza last season, has made Rowville his home club in 2019. Picture: Chris Eastman

Mt Eliza’s Freeman brothers are on the move to Eastern Football League clubs.

And the Redlegs’ 2018 leading goal kicker Jordan Moncrieff will only be available for part of the MPNFL Division 1 season.

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But Mt Eliza has compensated by picking up two former Alberton league medal winners, Ethan Park and Tom Cameron.

Mt Eliza forward Jordan Moncrieff will travel overseas after Round 12. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Tom Freeman, who played in the Casey Demons’ VFL grand final side last season, has made Rowville his home club.

James Freeman, who booted 32 goals in 18 games with Mt Eliza in 2018, has joined Balwyn.

Moncrieff is planning to travel overseas after Round 12. He kicked 58 goals last season.

Premiership speedster Dan Gormley, who has joined Mordialloc, is another key departure.

Mt Eliza has added several well-credentialed recruits, headed by Fish Creek teammates and Alberton league stars Park and Cameron, described by new Redlegs coach Nick Claringbold as “very handy footballers’’.

“They will be good acquisitions for the team, on and off the field,’’ he said.

Park won the Alberton league medal in 2018, while Cameron, a former Sandringham Zebras speedster, won it in 2016.

Shawn Watson (right) playing for Queensland in 2016. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Former Gold Coast Suns academy member Shawn Watson, 20-years-old and 196cm, will bolster the Redlegs’ ruck stocks.

So, too, will Joe Brooks from Mirboo North and former VFL-listed Oscar Persson from De La Salle.

Zac Kurts from South Mornington is another Redlegs recruit.

Claringbold said Mt Eliza would continue to promote youngsters.

Shane Tennant punches the ball last season. He will captain Mt Eliza again this year. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“The beauty is with our junior program we’ve got 40 under 19s training at the moment as well,’’ he said. “You always get a couple to pop up. Some young guys have put in pretty good summers and are looking good as well.’’

Shane Tennant will again captain Mt Eliza, with Blaine Coates and Aaron Dunne as vice-captains and Tom Small deputy vice-captain. The players voted for the leadership group.

Mt Eliza will host reigning premier Pines in the opening round of the season on Saturday, April 6.

“We hope to be (a contender) but we also know it’s a super competitive league,’’ Claringbold said. “There are no easy games. It’s going to be red hot.’’