Outer East FN: ex-AFL Kangaroo slots into Healesville’s forward line

Healesville has received a major mid-season recruitment boost, gaining an ex-AFL player who also won a VFL best and fairest.

Max Warren takes a kick for North Melbourne. He’s returned to Healesville. Picture: Peter Wallis

An urge to play alongside his brother has brought a former North Melbourne player out of retirement.

Max Warren, who played one AFL game in 2014, lined up for his junior club Healesville in Outer East’s Premier Division on Saturday.

It was his first game in four years and despite being a little rusty, he kicked four goals and was named among the Bloods’ best players in their 55-point win over Emerald.

Warren’s younger brother Charlie slotted two goals in the 12.13 (85) to 4.6 (30) win, which cemented fourth spot for Healesville.

Warren, 32, came up through the Healesville juniors and was drafted by North Melbourne in 2011, spending 2012-15 on the Kangaroos’ list.

Max Warren (No. 5) playing for Box Hill Hawks. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

In 2017, he won Box Hill Hawks’ best and fairest.

Warren last played for South Croydon in 2021.

“He was really good,” Healesville coach Ryan Webster said of Warren’s return.

“He hasn’t played footy for a bit of time so he was a little bit rusty but in saying that you can just tell that he’s played a very good level of footy, he’s a very talented player, so he gets in the right spots which helps.”

The Warren brothers combined for a couple of goals as Healesville increased its lead in each quarter.

“There was a handball from Max to Charlie for a goal at one stage,” Webster said.

“They combined a couple of times. It was good to watch.”

Brandon Murphy at full back and centre half back played his best game for the season.

“He’s learning every week and playing on the best forwards every week, and he had a stand out game today,’’ Webster said.

Healesville coach Ryan Webster. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Healesville, after winning the Division 1 flag, has banked seven wins to storm into contention in the top flight this season.

“People probably wrote us off at the start of the season but we’ve worked hard and we’re competitive and we’re heading in the right direction,” Webster said.

“The boys’ effort has been great since coming back from the break.”

Tennyson Amarant also kicked two goals in the win and was among the Bloods’ best, along with Hugo Munn, Tristan Van Driel and Declan Sikorski.

Meanwhile, Mt Evelyn blasted back to winning form, thrashing Gembrook Cockatoo by 145 points. Matthew Gibbons and Daimon Kift kicked five goals apiece and Michael Gibbons and Daniel Chamberlin slotted four each as the Rovers won 25.16 (166) to 3.3 (21) after dropping their past two matches. Mt Evelyn sits half-a-game out of the top five.

South Belgrave recruit Spencer Richards-West capped a best-on-ground display with six goals for Upwey Tecoma in its win over Officer 14.12 (96) to 12.10 (82). Cody Maloney, Jai Sheehan and Jack McKay also had a big say in the win, while Sam Hoghton was named Officer’s best.

Olinda Ferny Creek captain Lachlan Taylor kicked six goals to fire the Bloods to victory over Monbulk 13.11 (89) to 4.15 (39). Sam Cuthbert, Blair Wilson and Lachlan Kennedy also impressed.

Wandin remained undefeated after overpowering rivals Woori Yallock by 24 points. The Bulldogs’ ex-AFL duo Aaron Mullett and Joel Garner were brilliant up forward kicking 14 goals between them, with Mullett slotting eight to move to 83 for the season.