NFL 2020: Bundoora premiership player Nick Grabowski signs on
Bundoora’s frutiful off-season has received another boost ahead of Michael Ryan’s first year at the helm with a 2017 premiership player returning.
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Bundoora has received a massive boost on the eve of the NFL Division 1 season with a premiership player returning to Yulong Reserve.
Nick Grabowski was a key member of the Bulls’ 2017 premiership team and returns after one year at EDFL Division 1 club East Keilor.
The goalkicker booted 32 majors in 15 games for the Cougars as they finished runner-up to Craigieburn.
Bundoora coach Michael Ryan was only too happy to add another weapon to his forward line.
“He reached out to us and said he was keen to come and play with us, so it’s great to get Nick in so late in the piece,” he said.
“We lacked some firepower up front last year and we’re trying to find a way to average more than nine goals a game.
“He was at a wedding with a few of the Bundoora boys he’s still close with and it went from there.
“I caught up with him for a coffee and said ‘just come for a session’, he trained one night and the next day he called me and said ‘I want to come back’.”
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Grabowski adds to a strong off-season of recruiting at Bundoora.
Hamish Shepheard (Old Ivanhoe), Kyle Green (North Heidelberg), Cameron Wallace (Old Carey), Jesse King (Eltham), Jackson Davies (Northern Knights), Kain Proctor and Jai Burns (both Fitzroy Stars) are all expected to make an impact at senior level.
Eamon Gilbert (North Albury), Daniel Guccione (Pascoe Vale), Todd Hughes (Thomastown), Dale Marshall (Essendon Doutta Stars) and Gary Moorcroft (Bright) are notable departures.
Ryan said his club had been “wounded” by last season’s ninth-placed finish and was determined to atone.
“The boys were wounded by what happened last year, only winning five games,” he said.
“Wins are the only currency in the NFL.
“One thing I do know is the boys are going to be super fit.
“They’ve done a massive pre-season under Dave Buttifant and hopefully we can get the rewards on the back of that.”
The Bulls have locked in practice matches against Banyule, Montmorency and Airport West as they put the finishing touches on pre-season preparations.
Bundoora is scheduled to face reigning premier West Preston-Lakeside in Round 1.
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