Outer East league: Gembrook Cockatoo ready for new challenge
Signings and stability will help the Brookers step up to the Outer East league’s top-flight, with an ex-AFL star pulling on the boots again.
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Gembrook Cockatoo will be ready for all the challenges Outer East Premier division throws at it in 2023.
That’s the message from Brookers coach Brad Coller, who believes his premiership-winning side still has loads of room for improvement.
Gembrook, with all but five players under the age of 22, beat Seville in last season’s Division 1 grand final to hoist its first premiership flag in six years.
Gembrook Cockatoo also won the reserves premiership, crowning a stellar season.
Now the Brookers step up to Premier and will mix it with the likes of Narre Warren, Woori Yallock, Wandin and Olinda Ferny Creek.
“At this stage we’re hoping to be competitive, that’s our aim,” Coller said.
“We know it’s a big step, especially that top three or four in Premier Division.
“It’s a big step for us…but we feel like we can compete with the rest, especially after keeping our team together and also the fact that we are so young, we’re going to see improvement out of all those players.
“It’s not like we won a flag with 30 years olds, we won it it with pretty much under 22s, so we’re banking on improvement from keeping our group together and adding a piece here and there.”
Gembrook Cockatoo has bolstered its list with the addition of Frankston VFL key forward Josh Smith, brother of Brookers player, Dean. Josh will make Gembrook his home club.
The Brookers have also regained a couple of talented young blokes — Patty Snoxell (ruckman) and Callum Bourne (versatile) — who left to go and play under 19s elsewhere when the club didn’t have an under 19s side.
Coller said five other “quality depth players” who would push for senior had also returned to the club.
Another five prospective recruits were training with the club.
“We’re hoping to sign them in next week or so,” Coller said.
Josh Tilly, who won Gembrook’s B&F, back-to-back, and was best-on-ground in the grand final, will step up to be co-captain alongside Colin Bastow, who is recovering from a knee reconstruction.
Tilly will set the standard again for the Brookers.
Gembrook Cockatoo’s forward line will again include the huge presence of former AFL-Kangaroo Michael Firrito who, at 39, is still regarded as one of the best players in local footy.
“Spud is also going to be a playing assistant coach,” Coller said.
Firrito kicked 52 goals last season, including four in the flag decider.
Aaron Firrito, Damien Volta, Dante South, Brayden Weller and Caleb Crestani — also pivotal in the grand final victory — will again drive the Brookers in 2023.
Gembrook has two practice matches lined up; against Lang Lang (coached by ex Gembrook payer Daniel Fry) and Emerald.
It’s likely the Emerald game will be a night game on April 1.
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