MPNFL: Frankston Dolphin Lachlan Williams among several key signings at Somerville
A VFL player headlines a string of recruits for Somerville, which is determined to end a 34-year premiership drought next season.
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Come back and be a part of something special.
That’s the message Somerville coach Brad Canavan has used to persuade a bunch of former Eagles to return to the club.
Canavan says the Eagles are “bursting” to win a flag after a three-decade dry spell.
Somerville’s last flag was in 1986.
The Eagles’ key signing came last month when Frankston Dolphins midfielder and former Stingrays captain Lachlan Williams returned to Somerville, his junior club, as a playing-assistant coach.
Canavan said Williams’ on-field leadership — “a player’s voice” — would fill a void for the Eagles, who played in the MPNFL Division 2 first semi-final last season.
Williams also played in Frankston YCW’s premiership in 2017 but his roots run deep at Somerville.
“One of the things I said to him (Williams) was, ‘you’re a Somerville boy, your parents come and watch us play’,” Canavan said.
“‘When you look back in 10 years’ time, do you want your legacy to be as a YCW player or a Somey person who helped Somerville win their first flag in ‘x’ amount of decades?’
“‘Help us get that flag that the club is bursting for’.”
Somerville has also regained Travis Bravo, who played with Pearcedale for the past three years and captained the Dales last season.
Frankston Bombers playmaker Brett Sutton has joined Somerville to play alongside his brother Jed, while talented forward Luke Rowe is returning after a year off.
Josh McMahon, Mitch Delmo and Adam Wilson are other Eagles returning to the nest.
“We are all done (with recruiting),’’ Canavan said.
“Nothing crazy for us. We were just happy getting four or five back who didn’t play this year and then we always said three recruits would be smart and fiscally responsible.
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“We’d been into Lachie (Williams) for a few months. Trav Bravo was a late one. He’d spoken to Rowan Hogenbirk and he sort of said maybe it’s time to come home.’’