MPNFL: Curtis Bywater joins Sorrento
The Sharks have signed one of the MPNFL’s best spearheads, and say they plan to cause “mayhem’’ up forward next season.
Mornington
Don't miss out on the headlines from Mornington. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Sorrento will have options aplenty up forward next year after acquiring Chelsea spearhead Curtis Bywater.
The Sharks announced the 28-year-old’s signing on Sunday.
He will join a forward group of coach Leigh Poholke, recruit Rourke Fischer and Nick Corp.
Poholke, who has kicked over 500 goals for Sorrento, said Bywater would be the key target.
“He will play full forward out of the goal square and hopefully between us we can cause a bit of mayhem up there,’’ he said.
“He’s another guy who can win games off his own boot.
“We’ve probably been a bit light on in goals for a while so to have another guy who can kick a big score and end up with 50 or 60 goals for the year will be really handy.’’
Bywater was Chelsea’s leading goal kicker in 2018 and ’19, with 65 and 52 goals respectively.
He played over 100 games for the Seagulls.
Poholke said Bywater was excited by the prospect of making a fresh start and joining Sorrento’s program.
“He’s a good guy…it all happened within a week, he was easy to deal with,’’ Poholke said.
“He impressed the guys from the start, that’s for sure.
“I think getting into our program will hopefully be really helpful for his footy.
“He’s been running, he’s super keen to get involved with us.
“It’s exciting, especially for someone who is a pretty proud person and full forwards generally are.’’
Sorrento will have several avenues to goal and it could cause sides headaches.
“To have him and Nick Corp, it makes it a bit trickier for teams to match up on us,’’ Poholke said.
“And especially getting Jonny Croad back to do all the ruckwork it means Corp can stay home a bit more.’’
Sorrento has had a productive recruiting week, signing Seaford captain Rourke Fischer, Jon Croad, back from Queensland, and St Kevin’s Old Boys dual premiership captain Nick Wood.
Poholke said the Sharks were looking to add a small forward.