Two-time state league premiership player Nathan Batsanis joins Eastern Football League club Doncaster
Doncaster has bolstered its midfield stocks for 2019 after signing two-time state league premiership player Nathan Batsanis.
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Doncaster has bolstered its midfield stocks for 2019 after signing two-time state league premiership player Nathan Batsanis.
The 30-year-old spent two years on Port Adelaide’s rookie list and played in Port Melbourne’s 2011 premiership and Norwood’s SANFL flag the following season before returning to the Borough.
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Batsanis retired from the VFL midway through 2017 and spent the remainder of the year with Doncaster East, where he played with brother Nick in the losing Division 2 grand final, before having a break from football in 2018.
He also had a state league stint with Richmond.
Doncaster coach Stewart Kemperman said Batsanis was rejuvenated and ready to resume his career at Schramms Reserve after 12 months away from the game.
“He trained with us initially and I think he had a connection with players he’d played with in the past as well that were at the footy club,” Kemperman said.
“I think that was a good start and then he really enjoyed training and the quality of the sessions that he was a part of.”
Doncaster has made the top five for the past three years since winning the 2015 Division 2 premiership but has failed to record its maiden top-tier finals win.
Kemperman said Batsanis’ experience appealed to the Sharks.
“He certainly fits the bill and I suppose he’s been in some really successful systems as well,” he said.
“We hope what he brings to us on the field and off the field is reflective of that.
“He’s certainly already been sharing a lot of his knowledge at training with the guys and I can only see that increasing.
“Even on the training track when you see he gets the footy, he just tends to have that extra bit of time and a really good skill level that stands out.”
Doncaster also expects Sam Caruso to return to the club in 2019 after he spent this season at Essendon District league club Pascoe Vale.
Of the omissions, Jake Hall has signed with Loddon Valley league club Calivil United after just one season at the Sharks.
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