Seville pair Josh Neal and Gareth Fraser join Eastern Football League club Lilydale

Lilydale will lean on internal improvement if it is to again challenge for promotion to the Eastern Football League top tier.

Josh Neal flies for the mark during his time at Seville. Picture: Robyn Kuys

Lilydale will lean on internal improvement if it is to again challenge for promotion to the Eastern Football League top tier.

Impressive young midfielder Ryan Harvey is the only departure from the Sports Oval, with the Falcons putting a priority on retaining their emerging list.

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Harvey has moved to Barwon Heads with brother Brad, who was a key figure in Wandin’s 2015 and 2018 premierships.

But Lilydale has boosted its list with the signings of Seville pair Josh Neal and Gareth Fraser.

Neal has kicked 126 goals in the past two years at the Blues and will add another dimension to the Falcons’ forward line alongside Lachlan Koger.

Ryan Harvey has joined Bellarine club Barwon Heads. Picture: David Crosling

“Josh is a real eye-catching sort of player, he has a good leap at the ball and can mark the ball at its highest point and he’s a beautiful set-shot at goal,” Lilydale coach Ben Neagle said.

“Hopefully he can really add to our forward line and give us some unpredictably.”

Neagle said Fraser would add some important size to Lilydale’s on-ball brigade.

“Gareth is still pretty young, he’s only 21 or 22, so a similar age to our group but has played some really good senior footy,” he said.

“Hopefully he helps fill some of the void that Harvs leaves.”

The Falcons also hope to promote 201cm ruckman Joel Koger, who won this year’s under-19s league best and fairest in Division 2.

“He’ll hopefully get some opportunities his way if he plays well and develops the way we want him to develop,” Neagle said.

“He’s athletic for a big man and we certainly think he can be a first grade ruckman, if it’s not next year then certainly in the next year or two to help out Beau (Mitchener).”

Lilydale advanced to this year’s Division 2 grand final but suffered a 60-point drubbing against Doncaster East.

The Falcons set up their grand final berth with a 7-0 start to the season, with Neagle again tipping a tight competition in 2019.

“Like second division has always been, it’s just going to be that even,” he said.

“Getting off to a good start is certainly going to be key again and with a young group, just building on that confidence … there’s certainly not going to be any easy games.”

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