Eltham begins NFNL Division 1 recruiting campaign with pair of star juniors

Eltham has made a strong start to its NFNL Division 1 recruiting campaign, securing the return to two juniors with AFL and VFL experience.

Eltham recruits Liam McMahon and Jaden Collins with coach Tim Bongetti (centre).

Eltham has made a strong start to its recruiting campaign ahead of a NFNL Division 1 return.

Panthers juniors Liam McMahon and Jaden Collins will return to Central Park in 2024 as the club looks to cement itself in the top flight.

The pair both cross from Northern rival Montmorency.

McMahon spent two seasons on Collingwood’s AFL list after being drafted with pick No.31 in 2020.

They young key forward signed with Carlton VFL and Montmorency last season, playing 17 games and kicking 18 goals for the Blues as well as eight goals in five appearances for the Magpies.

Liam McMahon during his time at Collingwood. Picture: Michael Klein

Collins played eight VFL games for Northern Bullants in 2022 and six matches for Montmorency this season.

Panthers coach Tim Bongetti said luring juniors home was a big focus for the off-season.

“It’s kind of what I’ve earmarked to the club that I want to do,” he said.

“There’s a few more we’re talking to that have a junior affiliation with the club.

“Instead of going out and going hard on external people I really want to get the juniors back that left for greater opportunity.

“We’re definitely speaking to a couple of external players that will be higher profile gets but, as we know, those kind of things take a little bit more to tick all the boxes.

“I wanted to try and get youth too because then you can get them for multiple years, rather than get experience but you only get one year.

“I spoke to Heath Shaw but I’m probably only going to have him for a year, so is it worth it? Maybe not.”

While McMahon is expected to play VFL for the majority of 2024, when available he and Collins will bolster the clubs key position stocks at both ends of the ground.

Collins will add another strong defensive presence alongside Team of the Year gun Declan Ayres, skipper Darcy Vallance and Lane Sinclair.

“They’re key position players, they’re pretty important,” Bongetti said.

“Liam will probably play the majority of the year in the VFL, he’ll be aligned with Carlton again.

“Having Jaden back is definitely going to help – young and athletic – and he’s played at a higher level as well and been part of Div 1.

“Jaden will be full-time, he’s got aspirations in 12 months to go back to VFL but he’ll play local next year.”

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After tasting premiership success for the first time in 21 years, three players have hung up the boots.

Premiership captain Jackson Weatherald, Josh Merkel and Mikael Avramov will not return in 2024, while Bongetti is still weighing up his playing future.

The club has announced the re-signing of its premiership list, including grand final best-on-ground Finnbar Maley, league best-and-fairest runner-up Tom Goodwin and club best-and-fairest winner Jesse Donaldson.

Ayres, Goodwin, Donaldson, Daniel Owen and Jason McCormick were all named in the Division 2 Team of the Year.