MPNFL: Langwarrin players pledge their allegiance to the club for 2021
Langwarrin has moved quickly to secure its list for 2021 in the wake of the cancelled MPNFL season, although a star recruit is yet to recommit.
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Langwarrin has been busy, securing the majority of its list for next season, although star recruit Mark Baguley is yet to formally re-sign.
But Langy co-coach Josh Beard expects the former Essendon star to play with the Kangaroos in 2021.
“We’re hoping so,” he said.
“His wife has just had a baby and he’s spending time with them.’’
Beard said the only reason Baguley hasn’t put pen to paper was “because we haven’t sat down with him’’.
Langwarrin co-captains Nick Hammill and Blake Harkness have recommitted for 2021 as the Kangaroos look to go a step further than their preliminary final finish last season.
Key players Luke Churcher, Shane Paterson and Timmy McGenniss, young guns Joel Bateman and Mitch Cuthbert, forwards Jesse Murphy, Matthew Peynenborg, Billy Rolfe and Josh Biggs and club legends Matt Naughton and Gerard Brown have pledged their allegiance to the Kangas cause in 2021.
“When 2020 got cancelled that was our priority, to get everybody on board,” Beard said.
“So far, we’ve had 100 per cent (success rate), which is great.
“We feel like we will retain everyone.
“If we were to lose anyone it would be through a retirement or two. And even then I don’t think we’ve got anyone in that position.”
Beard believes Langwarrin was set for a successful 2020 before the plug was pulled on the season.
He said the Kangaroos would hop into 2021 with confidence.
“We’re not looking to go out recruiting, our priority is from within,” he said.
“We’re disappointed our group of under 19s couldn’t play this year, we feel they had put a really good side together. Potentially those guys could come through to senior footy without playing. We’ve got to make sure we accommodate those guys and look to the future.”
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