Eltham adds another big name to its star-studded list for 2021 season

Already a premiership favourite, Eltham has secured another big-name recruit on the eve of the NFL Division 2 season with strong ties to Panthers coach Rob Hyde.

Daniel McLinden in action for Greensborough. Picture: Mark Dadswell

On the eve of the new NFL Division 2 season Eltham has secured another star recruit to bolster its premiership aspirations.

Greensborough grand final defender Daniel McLinden will link up with his 2014 Borough premiership coach Rob Hyde at Central Reserve in 2021.

It’s a massive coup for the club with McLinden looking to reduce his workload due to family and study commitments.

“I get on with him really well and I was down in Sale and we caught up for coffee,” Hyde said.

“He’s got a few things going on and didn’t think he could handle Division 1 this year so said he’d enjoy coming across and playing for Eltham, which is a huge bonus for us.

Eltham coach Robert Hyde during his time at Greensborough. Picture: Stuart Milligan

“He’ll play in the reserves on Friday because he’s coming back from an injury and then he’ll put his hand up after that.”

The star defender played 15 games in 2019, including the grand final defeat to West Preston-Lakeside, bring his total to 102 games at War Memorial Reserve.

McLinden is the latest signing with ruckman Tom Cantwell joining from St Mary’s, youngster Liam Waldron from Northcote Park and Matt Keys returning from Shepparton United.

They join 2020 recruits Brayden and James Taglieri, Jackson Weatherald and Marc O’Regan.

However, Brayden Taglieri’s return to Cental Reserve will have to wait due to a hamstring injury while Brendan O’Sullivan will also miss Round 1 with a hamstring issue.

Eltham will kick off the Northern Football League season with a Good Friday clash against St Mary’s while Epping and Thomastown also meet.

The Panthers have had three strong practice matches against Division 1 clubs Macleod and North Heidelberg and EDFL outfit West Coburg.

Hyde has been pleased with what he’s seen in comparison to last pre-season.

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“Last year Macleod beat us by about eight goals in a practice match and this year we got on top of them by about three,” he said.

“North Heidelberg beat us by about three goals and we lost to West Coburg by about two points but we were five or six goals up at half-time and I rested a few players.

“Just about everybody got two games, which is what I wanted over that period.”

Eltham will play two matches in an extended Round 1 with a trip to Thomastown on April, 10.