Outer East league: Officer signs 10 recruits for season 2023
Officer has locked in an experienced coach and 10 recruits as it positions itself to bounce back with a bang in Outer East league in 2023.
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Ten recruits and counting…
Officer has been one of the busiest suburban clubs in Melbourne since the 2022 season ended last month.
The Kangaroos appointed experienced coach Daniel Charles in August and then set about strengthening its list.
Over the past three weeks, Officer has announced these recruits so far:
*Riley Blackman, from Glen Waverly Hawks
A hard-nosed inside mid who loves winning his own footy, Blackman has previously won a league best and fairest in his time at Rowville before moving to the Glen Waverly Hawks.
*Zack Charles, Doveton
Was Doveton’s U/19s captain in 2022 and spent the past two seasons in the Doves’ senior leadership group.
*Antonio Quach, Berwick.
The skilful midfielder crosses over from Berwick where he was a premiership player and best and fairest winner at both league and club level.
*Kyle Gains, Berwick
Has the ability to play anywhere on the park. Known for his ability to take an intercept mark. Still young, Kyle has won multiple premierships.
*Mason Binns, Berwick
Has enjoyed a great deal success, including an under 18s flag in 2019. Best known for his silky skills and drive from half back, he loves nothing more than sneaking forward and nailing a goal.
*Mark Seedsman, Rowville
A centre half forward by trade, Seedo stands at 6’3 and is known for kicking bombs. In recent seasons he’s plied his trade at Rowville in the Eastern Football Netball League after previously playing under Charles at Doveton in 2020.
*Robert Hudson, Croydon North
The hard running mid joins the Kangas fresh off winning a senior best and fairest. Has played most of his senior footy at Belgrave South amassing more than 70 senior games to date, including a premiership and being a league best and fairest winner in his U/17 season.
*Angus Clavarino, Berwick
The versatile big man has the skills and running ability to play on the wing with great effect. A premiership player in his final year of 19s, his mixture of height and skill will prove to be dangerous at Starling Rd.
*Riley Punnett, Croydon North
A premiership player with South Belgrave in 2019, the midfielder/forward is known for his tackling pressure and intensity around the contest.
Officer struggled this year, winning only one game in Premier Division of Outer East league before being relegated.
Charles has a history of turning around clubs’ fortunes quickly.
He coached Doveton to a premiership in 2019 after it failed to win a game the previous season.
Charles said the Kangaroos were ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work in preparation for Division 1 next year.
“I think the club was expecting to go back and rebuild,” Charles said.
“Look, that’s the plan. I think it’s going to be good for us (to go back to Division 1) but also I don’t think the club would want to sit there for too long.
“We’ve got some really good recruits so it’s just a matter of getting everyone together and doing the work.
“We are starting off on the right foot. We’ll see what happens after that.’’
As well as the recruits, Charles said Officer had re-signed “99 percent’’ of last season’s list, including key men Ben Laughlin, Anthony Bernardo, Brent Moloney, Tommy Marks, David West, Sam Hoghton, Matt Rogers, Dale Hynes, Josh Westra, Riley Perkins and Cooper Wright.
Charles, 49, has seen it all in football, playing and coaching at a raft of clubs in various leagues.
He was a star player during a 26-year senior career.
He’s coached Somerville, Buln Buln and Doveton, and been an assistant coach at Karingal, Beaconsfield, Berwick and Warragul Industrials.
Charles also boasts vast junior coaching experience, including the Neville Jetta squad at Dandenong Stingrays, head coach of the Victorian under 15 indigenous Kickstart Program and head coach of Richmond Football Club’s Laguntas under 18 indigenous program.
He has a family connection to Officer, with his father coaching the ROC twos flag victory in 1983.
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