NFL 2019: Greensborough bullish about ruck stocks after signing Riddell big man Liam Read
Greensborough has bolstered its big-man stocks with the signing of a 206cm ruckman who is on the radar of Essendon VFL.
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Greensborough has bolstered its big-man stocks with the signing of a 206cm ruckman who is on the radar of Essendon VFL.
The Boro have added developing tall Liam Read from Riddell, where he was a key figure in the club’s progression to last year’s Riddell District Football League grand final.
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Read has inked a two-year deal with Greensborough and coach Mick Harford said Essendon had identified him as a potential addition to their VFL list for 2019.
“He hasn’t signed a contract yet, but they are looking at him,” Harford said.
“Running ruckman (with a) huge tank. He’s at the front end of the time trials at Essendon. “He’s enormous, 206cm or something like that.”
The Boro had identified the signing of a ruckman as a key recruiting priority and will also welcome back Jake McNamara from a knee injury this season.
“He’s back running, has got the all clear from the surgeon,” Harford said.
“To have two pretty solid ruckmen will be a big change for our midfield.”
North Melbourne VFL-listed Jordan McIvor-Clark has crossed from Essendon District club Avondale Heights, having been restricted to one VFL game and five in the EDFL due to an ankle injury in 2018.
“The expectation is he will play around 50 per cent of the games with us, pending his VFL form,” Harford said.
“He wants to play as much VFL as he can.”
The Boro expect star recruit Ben Fennell will be available for most of the Northern Football League campaign, although he has been training with Essendon.
The midfielder has moved from Division 1 rival Montmorency and will lead a talent-packed engine room.
Skipper Chris Clark, Tynan Smith and Charlie Molyneux will be other high-quality options at Harford’s disposal.
“It’s hopefully going to be pretty positive coming out of the middle now rather than defensive,” he said.
“Which means we will get the ball into our forward line faster hopefully and give our forwards a bit more of a chance.”
Damon Marcon, who booted 39 goals in 18 Division 2 games last season, has also joined from Epping.
Harford said he rated Marcon, a VAFA premiership player with Preston Bullants, as a “small forward with genuine pace”.
The Boro finished fifth in Division 1 last season, bombing out of the premiership race with a 48-point elimination final loss to Bundoora.
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