Southern league: Ryan Semmel, Tyrren Head and Liam Harris join East Brighton

The Vampires have inked three big signings, including a six-time best and fairest winner, as new coach Nick Jewell eyes success in 2023.

Ryan Semmel (right) playing for Mordialloc. He’s joined the Vampires for 2023. Picture: Hamish Blair

The East Brighton build is off to a flyer.

Last month the Vampires installed Nick Jewell as senior coach, the experienced coach and successful sportsman returning “to where it all started’’, Hurlingham Park.

Now they’ve unveiled three top drawer recruits, headlined by decorated country football star Ryan Semmel.

The six-time best and fairest winner, who played with Stanhope in the Kyabram District league last season, has moved into the area.

“He’s an A Grader who’s played a lot of footy,” Jewell said of the powerful midfielder.

“He’s a big get. He knows a couple of the boys at the club so we put the phone call in and had a chat and we were very lucky.”

Tyrren Head.

Liam Harris.

East Brighton has also signed Mornington Peninsula league players Tyrren Head and Liam Harris.

Head was captain of Rye last season and is a four-time premiership player at Sorrento, as well as being a former Collingwood VFL player.

“An outstanding running and intercept mark across half back, Tyrren brings a huge amount of football smarts and class,’’ East Brighton said.

Jewell said Head would strengthen the Vampires.

“He’d pulled the pin from Rye and was going to retire…and he’s still got a lot of footy left, he’s only 29, so we put the call in,’’ he said.

“He’s a really handy pick up.”

Harris is a big bodied, strong marking half back who has played eight seasons of Division 1 footy with Edi-Asp and Red Hill.

“He’s played about 70 odd Div 1 games so he’ll be really good,” Jewell said.

“I’d imagine he’ll be a really solid player for us.”

Nick Jewell (left) will coach the Vampires in 2023.

Jewell confirmed the Vampires would announce more signings in the coming weeks — “there’s a few more” — as they build towards a successful 2023 season in SFNL Division 2.

“We made finals last year so we want to improve on that, whatever that means,” he said.

“If you want to win premierships you’ve got to finish top three so we’ve got to give ourselves the best chance by putting the right coaches in, we’ve picked up a good strength and conditioning guy and improved the list.”

Meanwhile, East Brighton has locked in Peri Thompson as forwards coach.

He is a premiership player in the WAFL and boasts VFL playing experience as well as being a Vampires premiership player and team of the decade member.

Jason Parsonage has been appointed chairman of selectors. He’s a premiership player, member of the team of the decade and a former junior record games holder at the club.

Jason Tickner has been installed as head of strength and conditioning. A Vampires premiership player and former East Brighton reserves coach, Tickner has a long history in the health and fitness industry and he’s also a school teacher, specialising in physical education.