Outer East league: Narre Warren to lose three important players
Narre Warren’s depth will be called upon in 2024 after the departure of three key players, with one embarking on an exciting overseas adventure.
Local Footy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Narre Warren’s depth will be called upon in 2024 after the departure of dual premiership players Jake Richardson, Tom Miller and Lachlan Benson.
The trio played in the Magpies’ 2019 and ‘22 flags.
Richardson and Miller have won the past two OEFNL Premier division best and fairest medals.
Key forward Richardson, who topped the competition goalkicking last year with 74 and was Narre Warren’s captain this year, is about to embark on a working holiday in Europe.
Miller, described as “a hard physical beast’’ midfielder by ex-Narre coach Shane Dwyer, will link up with Wodonga in the Ovens & Murray Football League.
Ruck/forward Benson has signed with South Belgrave in the Eastern league.
Richardson, a physiotherapist, jets out this week to live and work in England for a year.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, my partner and I,” he said.
“To be able to travel around Europe is the other thing that comes with it.”
Richardson is looking forward to gaining more experience as a physio overseas.
“There are plenty of jobs, I’ll link up with a number of locum agencies,’’ he said.
“It’s going to be good…we’ll do a little bit of travel around London and then head across to Wales and meet up with friends.”
Richardson says he’ll miss football but intends to play with Narre Warren in 2025.
“It will be different not playing but it’s good doing what I’ve always wanted to do…do this now before we have our own little one,” he said.
He said Narre had the depth to remain a contender.
“They’ll still be there and thereabouts I’d say,” he said.
Narre Warren has had a change of senior coach, with Steven Kidd replacing Shane Dwyer.
The Magpies have been a dominant force in Outer East league, winning the 2019 and ‘22 flags and finishing runner-up in ‘23.
Key talents set to light up interleague clash
Two major metro competitions will go head-to-head in a huge interleague clash on Saturday afternoon, giving players an opportunity to stake their claim for higher honours. See the squads and key players.
The added motivation for country club to end its winless streak
A country club with the second longest losing streak in Victorian footy has a great opportunity to snap it this weekend as it aims to overcome the loss of the senior coach in the lead.