Banyule adds to its talent, signing 2023 Team of the Year young gun

After a solid NFNL Division 1 debut season, Banyule has had an off-season win, adding one of the league’s best young players for 2024.

Seb Francis-Perkins in action for Old Eltham Collegians.

Banyule has secured the services of one of the best young players in the Northern league.

Seb Francis-Perkins will step up to NFNL Division 1 in 2024 after a stellar season with Old Eltham Collegians in Division 3 this year.

The 18-year-old earned Team of the Year honours, placed sixth in Division 3 Coaches MVP voting and finished 12th in the league best-and-fairest.

He’ll bolster a Banyule line-up looking to further cement itself in the top-flight after a five-win maiden Division 1 campaign.

Bears co-coach Ricky Dyson was looking forward to seeing what Francis-Perkins could bring to the team.

Seb Francis-Perkins in action for Old Eltham Collegians.

“Seb came recommended to us, he has some mates at our club, and he was keen to have a crack at Division 1 football,” Dyson said.

“His year speaks for itself, being named on the wing in the Team of the Year, and at such a young age it’s really impressive by him.

“He played the majority midfield at Turtles but coming up to Division 1 he’s going to be someone who uses the ball really well and give us some run as a half-back, wingman who can also play midfield.

“I think he’s someone who really wants to challenge himself and get the best out of himself.

“The time was right for him to come and give Division 1 a crack and it’s not easy for some young guys to take the leap and put themselves out there, so it shows a bit of character.”

After bringing in the likes of Kurt Aylett, Viv Blackmore-Moore, Max Jones, Daniel Costanzo, Lachlan King, Jack Raines, and Jack Sammartino last season, Francis-Perkins continues to add to Banyule’s talent.

Dyson said the club’s focus was on players that could contribute on and off the field.

“Our main focus in recruiting is to bring people in that are going to obviously add to the team on field but we want to bring in good people that are going to add to the culture, which we think is really strong,” he said.

“We want to bring in guys at the right age that are going to be around to help build and get us to the position we think we can be.

“We’ve got some really high expectations of ourselves as a football club, we’re not in a hurry as such, but we want to get there and when we do we want sustained success.”

Dyson said he expected more signings to come in the next few weeks as Banyule confirms its playing list for 2024.

The Bears finished eighth in their Division 1 debut, beating Hurstbridge, West Preston-Lakeside, Greensborough and Whittlesea twice.

The club is looking to take another step next season.

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“We’ve added to the group, which is what we needed to do,” he said.

“We know where we’re at, we know where we need to get better.

“The good teams are very good and we’re trying to close the gap as quickly as we can.”

Kye Yodgee took home Banyule’s best-and-fairest, Stephen Gray Medal, while Michael Italia won the reserve grade medal, Drew Barnes was named the women’s best-and-fairest and Alex Polatas and Keanu Ana were winners in the under-19s.