Dromana undergoes changes as it prepares for premiership defence

Reigning MPNFL Division 1 premiers Dromana will have a new look when it runs out in the opening round of the 2021 season.

Dromana star Ethan Johnstone swings on to his left. Picture: Chris Eastman

Dromana coach Matt Price says the Tigers will be young and hungry in 2021.

A chunk of experience has left the club since its triumphant 2019 MPNFL Division 1 premiership.

“I’d say we would have lost six or seven key components of that premiership side,” Price said, referring to the likes of Rikki Johnston (retired), Ben Holmes (retired), Beau Cosson (retired), Rohan Bleeker (coaching Carrum Patterson Lakes) and Ryan Smyth (Langwarrin).

But Dromana has regained Dan Geurts and Shaun Clarke — both key members of the 2018 Division 2 flag (Geurts was co-captain).

Sam Fletcher on the training track with Gold Coast.

Former Gold Coast Sun Sam Fletcher has listed Dromana as his home club after signing with the Frankston Dolphins in the VFL.

Onballer Fletcher, a Balnarring junior, was part of the Dandenong Stingrays’ breakthrough 2018 premiership team and joined the Suns ahead of 2019 as the club’s first supplemental selection period signing.

Dromana has also recruited Mt Eliza pair Jonathan Ristrom and Aaron Miller.

Jonathan Ristrom in action for Mt Eliza. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Brothers Nathan and Jake Soligo, from Montrose, are other additions. Nathan will play seniors, while Jake, 18, is with the Eastern Ranges and has been talked about as a potential AFL draftee.

“There are a couple of others that we’re close to locking in that could be handy players, no huge big names or anything like that, no ex-AFL players,” Price said.

Dromana will host reigning division two champions Red Hill on Good Friday (April 2) to begin a blockbuster start to the season.

Significantly, the Tigers still have their dynamic duo Sam Fowler and Ethan Johnstone, the small forwards, who slotted 91 goals between them in 2019 — although Fowler is also on Collingwood’s VFL list.

Young ruckman Billy Geurts, who was best-on-ground in the ‘19 grand final, is also on Collingwood’s VFL list.

“We’re not sure how much we will see of him,” Price said.

Billy Geurts was best-on-ground in Dromana’s 2019 premiership.

Price said the Dromana line-up would look different to the 2019 grand final side.

“We’ve lost a lot of experienced guys out of that premiership side of two years ago and replaced them with a lot more young kids so we will definitely be younger,” Price said.

“But all the kids have got talent so we’re not really sure how we’ll go.

“We’ve just got to maintain what we’ve got and fit in really.”

Price said Dromana would field a strong Under 19s side, but the reserves side may be depleted.

“Numbers in the twos will be pretty dire and I’d say that will be league wide just purely because of the salary cap issue, and COVID and just people moving on and having the 12 months off,” Price said.

“It will be a battle to fill a seconds side for most of the year.

“I think it will be a huge issue, with salary cap cuts and people just saying, ‘I’ll work and do family commitments’.”

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