Greensborough secure trio of recruits in response to NFL arms race
Greensborough bolsters its list with a trio of recruits, pinching a midfielder from a neighbouring rival, a member of the Daniher clan and a VFL defender.
Northern
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A record-breaking NAB League midfielder, a Daniher clan member and a VFL-contracted gun.
Greensborough has secured a trio of recruits as it looks to respond in the Northern Football League arms race.
In a major coup, the Borough have pinched young midfielder Joel Trudgeon from neighbour and Division 1 rival Macleod.
Considered unlucky not to be drafted to the AFL, Trudgeon is expected to spend the majority of the season with Carlton’s VFL team but has decided to make War Memorial Reserve his local footy home in 2022.
The big-bodied 19-year-old produced one of the best statistical NAB League seasons, averaging 29.6 disposals, 10 tackles, six marks and a goal, and scoring more SuperCoach points than the likes of Patrick Dangerfield, Matt Rowell and Sam Walsh.
Greensborough coach Saade Ghazi was rapt to secure his services and hoped to see him take the field a few times this season.
“We think Joel’s a very good player and unlucky not to be on an AFL list,” Ghazi said.
“To be fair we don’t expect to see a lot of him but it’s important that he’s chosen our footy club.
“When he does play he’s going to be very good for us and we’re rapt to get him because I know he was sought after by a couple of other clubs.
“He chose not to stay (at Macleod) and we’re not in the position of trying to influence players to leave clubs, I think it’s more he lives in Greensborough, just near the junior footy ground, and he knows quite a few of the boys.
“I hope he plays regularly at Carlton, which I’m sure he will, but I’d love to see him play some games with us when he can because I think it would be good for his development.”
While Trudgeon will boost Greensborough’s midfield, the club has also strengthened its key position stocks with a pair of tall utilities.
Harvey Daniher and Will Reinhold have both crossed from WRFL outfit Sunshine.
Daniher, the son of Essendon great Chris, played 48 games in three seasons for the Kangaroos and played in a premiership at Wagga Tigers in 2016.
Ghazi believed he could become a much-needed swingman.
“He adds experience, he adds a level head, and a big body,” Ghazi said.
“He’s moved into the area and will add really good depth being able to play at either end.
“I think we’ll be able to throw a few through (the forward line), we’ve had a couple of young boys put in good pre-seasons.
“Matty Lewis won our reserves best-and-fairest, Tommy Phelan has been really impressive and then we’ve got Rayden Garrard and when Tom Brindley plays for us he’ll play more forward.
“We’ve still got Andrew Stellas, who’s got good experience, and throw Harvey Daniher in there – there’s seven or eight vying for three or four spots.”
Reinhold is also capable of playing at either end but is expected to settle down back after starting in defence for Port Melbourne.
Hailing from Temora in the Farrer Football League, the club that produced Hawks legend Luke Breust, Reinhold played nine games for Sunshine last season to earn himself a VFL contract.
“Will’s about 6’4 who can play back and forward but has been playing in the back half at Port Melbourne,” Ghazi said.
“We don’t know how often we’ll have him but we’re trying to get connection with the club, Will lives with Harvey and they both work for our club runner, so there’s a connection already.
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“He can play key and also small because he moves really well.
“He told me he played small (in a practice match) against Sandringham so that’s a pretty good sign for a 6’4 guy.”
The trio join former AFL ruck Daniel Gorringe (Powelltown), Lucas Aquilina (Epping), Tristan Stead (AFL London) and Mitch Merkel (Panton Hill) are new additions for this season.
The club will round out its season preparations with practice matches against Eastern league clubs Norwood and Berwick before a Round 1 clash against Whittlesea.
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