MPNFL 2021: Frankston YCW signs two ruckmen ahead of season

Frankston YCW can’t believe its luck after two recruits walked in off the street — and they’re both over 200cm tall.

Jordan Verdouw has joined Frankson YCW for season 2021. Picture: Alison Wynd

What a boost for Frankston YCW.

The Stonecats’ ruck division is suddenly flush with options after sky scraping pair Josh Dow and Jordan Verdouw literally walked in off the street.

“They just turned up,” YCW coach Paul Goonan said.

“And they’ve surprised us a bit how good they are.”

Both are over 200cm, and both come from other sports.

“Josh Dow was playing basketball over in the States in college and he just turned up after not playing footy since under 15s and 16s with the Stingrays, and he’s been fantastic for us,” Goonan said.

Josh Dow played basketball in Kentucky, US.

Dow, who is friends with Frankston YCW captain Kevin Lylak, played hoops with the University of the Cumberland in Kentucky.

Verdouw has struck up a friendship with personal trainer and Frankston YCW player Lachy Wallace at Virtus Performance in Mornington.

“Lachy encouraged him to come along and have a go at footy because he’s such an elite athlete, he’s six foot eight,” Goonan said.

“They’ve been doing some running together, like 20km runs.”

Frankston YCW has been searching for a strong ruck presence since champion Ash Eames retired in 2018.

Goonan says the addition of Dow and Verdouw is a great fillip for Stonecats.

“We were probably a bit worried we were a bit light on ruck wise but we’ve now got a couple of guys who’ve turned up out of the blue that handle it no worries,” he said.

“We’ve gone from a skinny ruck situation to now we’ve got Zach Barrett, Bailey Schmidt, plus Josh and a Jordan now, so we’ve got a bit of depth in our ruck division.”

BJ Credlin will be with Frankston YCW full-time in ‘21. Picture: Hamish Blair

Schmidt, a 202cm ruckman who played four games in the VFL with Frankston as a 19-year-old in 2019, has made YCW his home club.

In another major boost, Frankston YCW will have premiership star BJ Credlin “full-time” this season after he chose not to go back to Richmond’s VFL side.

“He’s going to be a great acquisition for us as a full time YCW player this year,” Goonan said.

Matthew Troutbeck (right) in action for Bentleigh. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Frankston YCW made a key signing in November when it secured Bentleigh top-liner Matthew Troutbeck.

The Southern league representative and former Richmond VFL player is said to have the ability to turn a game on its head through pure skill and agility.

YCW’s main departures are Scott MacLeod to Chelsea and Michael debenham to Warragul Industrials, while Paul Minchington hasn’t returned due to work commitments.

Frankston YCW kicks off the season with a game against Pines under lights at Frankston Park on Friday, April 9.