NFL 2018: Eltham Collegians ready for challenge after league switch
ELTHAM Collegians are buoyant after their move from the VAFA to the Northern Football League was approved.
Local Footy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News.
TURTLE power is coming to the Northern Football League.
Eltham Collegians’ switch from the VAFA to the NFL has been confirmed, with the Turtles slated to compete in Division 3 next year.
The club’s move has been greeted with excitement and been the catalyst for the signing of about 10 players.
NFL 2018: CLUBS DELIVER VERDICT ON TURTLES MOVE
ELTHAM COLLEGIANS COACH IN FOR THE LONG HAUL
WHY JOHN GARRARD RETURNED TO ELTHAM COLLEGIANS
Eltham Collegians have welcomed Josh Hanley (Stratford), Tom O’Neill (West Preston-Lakeside), Teariki Neophitou (Euroa) and Dylan De Britt (MCUE Goannas), while a host of past players and students have committed for 2019.
“In the last two weeks, as soon as we knew we’d got the approval through the northern, we were working on getting players and coaches,” coach John Garrard said.
“The first guys we focused on are ex-students or friends of people who are already at the club.”
The Turtles finished bottom of the ladder in VAFA Division 2 this year, but have been buoyed by the response to their decision to cross to the NFL.
“We survived as a point of difference in the local area for a number of years, the 20-odd years we have been around,” Garrard said.
“But (players) all started to drop off.
“When we got together at the start of last year and worked on our strategy for the next 4-5 years, it was pretty unanimous in the club and committee that as a board we needed to look at alternative options.
“The northern footy league was an obvious choice.”
The club cited travel as a major reason for its move and will compete against teams such as Panton Hill, Laurimar and Lalor next year instead of sides based in Truganina, Ringwood and Surrey Hills.
“We spent a good six months working on our strategy plan and application and everything. We made sure all the boxes were ticked,” Garrard said.
“It means we’ll be a lot more sustainable first and foremost, retaining players and recruiting players to the club.”
The Turtles start pre-season training on Tuesday, November 13.
“(We hope) people see the Turtles as an option and all the guys that are between ones and twos and want to get senior games in the northern footy league will be keen to come across,” Garrard said.
MORE LOCAL FOOTY
THE LATEST COACH AND PLAYER MOVES IN LOCAL FOOTY
Local footy game abandoned after ‘horrible’ injury
A local footy game in Melbourne’s east was forced to be abandoned on Saturday after a player suffered what has been described as a “horrible” injury.
‘Crunch game’: Stonecats overpower reigning premiers
Key players hit form, VFL stars returned from injury and a debutant seized his opportunity as Frankston YCW toppled Mt Eliza in an MPFNL Division 1 contest labelled a “crunch game’’.