Macedon looking for premiership-winning young guns to boost finals hopes

Following premierships at under-19 and under-17A level this season, Macedon is hoping the influx of young talent can lift it back into RDFNL finals.

Jason Cooke in action for Macedon. Picture: Josh Chadwick

Macedon hopes a wave of exciting young talent can lift it back into Riddell District finals.

The Cats missed a top-five/six berth for the first time since 2014 this year, finishing sixth on percentage.

However, the club still enjoyed a successful season with the under-19s winning the premiership in dominant fashion, 99 points over minor premier Gisborne Giants.

Its under-17A team also claimed the flag and the 17B side was runner-up.

Fresh of that success, Macedon coach Al Meldrum said there was a high demand for pre-season to begin.

Declan Phyland splits two Romsey tacklers. Picture: Josh Chadwick

“The appetite is really strong because we had a really successful season in terms of our juniors coming up from 17s to 19s, they won the premiership undefeated,” Meldrum said.

“I’ll never forget grand final day, looking out and counting how many had played senior footy that year and it was 11 of the 22.

“It shone through (in the grand final) that half that team had played quite a bit of senior footy throughout the year.

“If there’s 11 already and then others coming up it’s pretty exciting for the club to have so many locals pushing.

“There’s also a drive for the ones who haven’t played at senior level yet because the guys that have been picked speak so highly of it to their mates.”

Combined with the expected internal development, Macedon has added several quality recruits.

Premiership star Matthew Dick has returned after a season off, while young ruckman Tom Indian crosses from Northern Division 1 finalist Hurstbridge.

Johno Bissell and Jayden Cott have crossed from Bacchus Marsh, under-19s leading goalkicker Nathan Hynes as joined from Gisborne Giants and ex-Murray Bushrangers draft prospect Dylan McDonald has come on board.

“Matt is a bona fide star of the comp, we really missed him in 2023, his absence was really noticeable,” Meldrum said.

“He’s such a good player, such a good leader and such a good guy and can play anywhere.

“Tom Indian joins his brother Sam, he’s got some great experience rucking against guys like Sam Gilmore from Heidelberg and he’s looked really good – he’s just a massive kid.

“Johno held down fullback for Bacchus Marsh all year and we identified we were lacking a key defender who could take the big boys like the Jedwabs.”

Youngster Dylan Johnstone is the only confirmed departure at this stage as he tries his hand with Gisborne in the Bendigo league.

The Cats also hope to see more of star forward and captain Jason Cooke and Jack Kernan after they were limited to eight and six games respectively.

“There’s missing personnel and then there’s missing key personnel and there were a couple of guys in particular,” Meldrum said.

“I think between Jason Cooke and Jack Kernan, real pillars up forward, they played about 12 games and Jason didn’t play his first game until Round 11.

“That’s footy, you get attrition, and you never use it as an excuse but it would be nice to have Cookey on the park more often than not.

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“At the end of the day, we missed finals on percentage – we didn’t deserve to make it and we didn’t – but it was on percentage and that proves we play in a small margins league.

“It leaves a sour taste in your mouth missing finals when you’ve been there for a long time, so it’s good motivation for the guys.

“Some of that footy played in the finals was a really good standard and it hurts to be the one on the other side of the fence.

“The Gap is closing every year and now you have Kyneton coming in and the improvement of Centrals and Lancefield … it’s really promising for the comp.”