Southern league: a trio of classy recruits lands at Division 1 club East Malvern
A prolific goalkicker in country football is among the latest recruits for Southern league Division 1 club East Malvern as it sets out to go one better in 2019.
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EAST Malvern caught only a glimpse of Justin Maddern last year.
It will be seeing much more of the decorated full-forward in 2019.
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The rangy Maddern, a prolific goalkicker in country football and a former Bendigo Bombers
VFL player, has committed to the SFNL Division 1 runner-up for the whole season, playing alongside his brother-in-law Luke Pousti.
In his only appearance for Eastern Malvern last year Maddern kicked five goals against Cheltenham.
East coach Nathan Robinson said the club was chuffed to have Maddern and was excited at what he might achieve in Southern.
The 32-year-old booted 105 goals for Loddon Valley club Mitiamo in 2016 and another 69 in 2017.
He also kicked a century of goals for Kangaroo Flat in 2010.
The Bendigo league and Victorian Country representative also had successful stints at South Bendigo and Shepparton Swans.
“It’s a huge get for us in terms of our goalkicking,’’ Robinson said.
“He kicked goals in his only game last year and he basically hadn’t done any training. He’s training at South Bendigo at the moment and he’s feeling tip-top.
“There’s not many guys in my opinion who will be able to go with him. He’s 6’5, he’s as agile as a midfielder and he does not miss. He’s a genuine star.’’
East Malvern has also secured former Shepparton Swans onballer Paul Fry, who was overseas last year, and big man Mackenzie Bristow.
Originally from Sale in Gippsland, Bristow, 192cm, played with East Fremantle last year; spent 2016 and ’17 with Caroline Springs in the Western Region league; and came through Gippsland Power, where he played alongside the likes of Ben Ainswerth, Josh Dunkley and Tom Papley in 2014.
He is training with North Melbourne’s VFL team.
In another boost, Chris Carey has stepped away from VFL club Port Melbourne and will play at East Malvern full-time as a playing assistant coach.
East had previously signed former Greater Western Sydney and Carlton small forward Liam Sumner and ex-Tasmanian onballer Aaron French.
Eastern league legend Ryan Mullett has returned to Vermont and another veteran, Port Melbourne VFL premiership player Steve Brewer, has also departed.
“They’re two big losses,’’ Robinson acknowledged.
“But I think we’ve picked up some good players. Overall our squad is better placed than what we were last year.
“That doesn’t translate into winning games of footy but over the ground we look stronger.’’
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