MPNFL 2020: Sorrento secures key recruit as it looks to go a step further
Sorrento wasn’t “desperate” for recruits — retaining most of its list from last year and regaining several key players. But now they’ve signed the “exact” halfback needed, as the team sets out to avenge successive grand final defeats in Division 1.
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Sorrento’s patient approach to recruiting has paid off with the Sharks securing Old Trinity defender Jake Steinhart.
The strong-running left footer is seen as the ideal back-up for Sorrento young gun Chad Harris, who is likely to play much of the season in Richmond’s VFL side.
“He will fill that role — a big left footer off halfback,” Sorrento vice president Anthony Ring said.
Steinhart played over 130 games with Old Trinity in the VAFA, winning a best and fairest.
He also spent time in the VFL with Casey and Richmond.
Ring said Sorrento — after playing off in the past two grand finals — had retained most of its list and would regain several key players.
“We were in a position where we didn’t have to recruit, we weren’t desperate,’’ he said.
“And we had some points up our sleeve.
“It was like, well, let’s wait for the right player to come along rather than go out and sign the first person that might want to play.
“We’ve waited to fill the voids we have and it’s worked out a treat because he (Steinhart) is the exact player we need to fill that role — a big halfback.”
Sorrento will be boosted by the return of four of its best young players — James Brigden, Zach Byrns, Jayden Tomkins and Marcus Gardner — who went to Europe halfway through last season.
“They’re like four recruits,’’ Ring said.
“They’re chomping to go. They can help us go one step further this year. They are ripping into pre-season and we’re excited to see those boys back into it, I can tell you.’’
And the Hallahan brothers, James and Mitch, are all set to go again, desperate to make amends after the heartache of successive grand final defeats.
Sorrento’s midfield brigade will be bolstered by the arrival of Mt Eliza ball winner Robbie Turnbull.
Tom Langford is Sorrento’s main loss. He’s left to coach Waverley Blues.
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Former North Melbourne and Adelaide midfielder Sam Gibson, who played nine games with Sorrento last season, is still undecided if he will lace up the boots again after a hamstring injury.
“I don’t know if we will see him at all, we might not,” Ring said.
“But we haven’t put a line through him if that makes sense. He still talks to us and he’s still in contact with the boys.”
Sorrento kicks off the 2020 season with a home game against Rosebud on Easter Saturday, April 11.