Devon Meadows lands quality recruits for 2021 MPNFL season
A former AFL Bulldog, a quality EFNL small forward and a Doveton premiership star have joined Brett Deledio as Panthers recruits.
Mornington
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All eyes will be on Brett Deledio when he makes his Devon Meadows debut against Mornington on Sunday, April 25.
The former Richmond and GWS star has been locked in to play at least two games (against Hastings on May 8 being the other), but could play more in the second half of the season.
It’s shaping up to be a season of excitement for Panthers fans.
Devon Meadows has recruited well.
Livewire forward Lachie Batten has come across from Doveton and will add class and polish.
Batten was best-on-ground in Doveton’s six-point win over Pakenham in the 2019 AFL Outer East Division 1 grand final after slotting four goals in an electric display.
Former Box Hill and Port Melbourne VFL player Aaron Johns will add grunt around the footy.
Johns’ impressive CV includes stints with Eastern Ranges, Edi-Asp and recently at Belgrave, where he was named in the Outer East team of the year.
One-time Western Bulldogs rookie Rowan Nayna, 34, will add experience to the young Panthers outfit.
Nayna has been a fine player for a long time; he was best afield in the Greenvale Jets’ 2012 grand final triumph.
“He’s really good with the younger guys, really energetic around the group,’’ Devon Meadows coach Neil Craig said of Nayna.
“We’re hopeful of getting over a dozen really good games of footy out of Rowan.’’
Doncaster forward Isaac Barassi (a relative of VFL/AFL legend Ron) is another excellent addition for the Panthers.
“To be honest I was really pleased to get him,’’ Craig said.
“He’s a quality smaller forward, sort of a forward pocket, half forward player who can finish. He’s been a great get.’’
New-signing Brodie McConnell, from Beaconsfield, has a great leap and looks likely to hold down a key forward post.
“And we haven’t finished yet, we’re still on the hunt for one or two,’’ Craig said.
“But the one thing we do have — and I don’t think the club has ever had — is a stack of depth, which is great.’’
On the other side of the ledger, Devon Meadows has lost dual best and fairest champion Patty Harmes to Poowong.
Devon Meadows will wear a new-look jumper in 2021.
It will feature a red, white and black V — similar to the Port Adelaide AFL jumper — with a Panther down the bottom.
“It’s similar to what we originally had when we were red and white back in the 1970s,’’ club president Barry Parsons said.
Devon Meadows hosts Pearcedale in the opening round of MPNFL Division 2 on Saturday, April 3.
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