NFL 2019: Macleod signs former Gold Coast NEAFL players Muhammad Saad, Harry Simington and Brodie Foster
Macleod has injected a trio of young guns into its ranks as new coach Christian Stagliano continues to mould his list in his first season at De Winton Park.
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Macleod has injected a trio of young guns into its ranks as new coach Christian Stagliano continues to mould his list in his first season at De Winton Park.
Former Gold Coast academy members Harry Simington and Brodie Foster have signed with the Roos after relocating to Victoria.
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Calder Cannons product Muhammad Saad, brother of Essendon dasher Adam, has also joined Macleod.
The trio has landed at Macleod through a connection with Stagliano, who was in a coaching position at the Suns when the three players were playing in southeast Queensland.
Simington and Foster both received NEAFL Rising Star nominations during 2018 and have represented the Allies in the under-18 national championships.
The pair has also signed with VFL club Coburg.
Both will provide options through the midfield, while Simington can play as a key forward.
Saad made eight NEAFL appearances for Gold Coast in 2017 and played 10 games for EDFL Premier Division club West Coburg last year.
“I think it’s always great to have young blokes around, they bring great energy, great enthusiasm, they’re keen to improve their footy and keen to develop where possible,” Stagliano said.
“Guys like that, where they’re still pursuing that football dream and are keen to improve their footy, I think are great to have in any squad.”
Ruckman Adam Swierzbiolek has also joined Macleod from Eastern Football League club East Ringwood, signing with the Northern Football League Division 1 club after the Roos were demoted to the EFL’s second tier last year.
Swierzbiolek played six games at Coburg last year and will remain listed with the Burgers this season.
Jack Langford has returned to his junior club, Banyule, while Brayden Plant, who made seven senior appearances last year, has joined Thomastown.
In a further boost for Macleod, premiership player Hamish Paynter will remain at Macleod in 2019.
Paynter had attempted to transfer to Division 2 club Diamond Creek as a playing assistant coach, only for his clearance to he denied.
“I met with him pre-Christmas and we had a really good chat,” Stagliano said.
“We obviously didn’t know each other but I think on the back of that chat he felt a little bit more comfortable.
“He’s obviously got great relationships with the boys but found himself in a difficult situation there for a little while, but he indicated before Christmas he was keen to stay.
“I was rapt with that … obviously a very important player.”
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