Preston Bullants add key recruits for step up to VAFA Premier C

Preston Bullants will have as many as seven new faces when the club takes its first steps in the VAFA Premier ranks after winning promotion from Division 1 back in 2019.

Dean Calcedo in action for Preston Bullants. Picture: Hamish Blair

After a 12-month delay Preston Bullants will make its VAFA Premier C debut in 2021 and have secured key reinforcements.

The Bullants won the Division 1 premiership in 2019 and coach George Wakim has no doubt the club is well prepared for the jump into Premier ranks with as many as eight new faces set to debut in Round 1.

In a huge boost Damian Galofaro and Ben Irving have crossed from Northern league Division 1 clubs Northcote Park and Heidelberg respectively, while Michael Irving (Old Paradians) and Sam Baker (Fitzroy) have signed from VAFA rivals.

Meanwhile, senior players Nathan Parks, Olsen Clark, Jake Powell and Mark Cigagna have all returned after missing the Bullants’ 2019 flag.

“We’re looking stronger than what we were two years ago, we’re certainly batting a lot deeper,” Wakim said.

Preston Bullants coach George Wakim. Picture: Josie Hayden

“The season we won the flag, 2019, we had four players that didn’t play that year – travelling, year off, whatever it was – they’ve all come back.

“Everybody tells me the jump from D1 to Premier C is a really big jump … but I can’t see why it’s any different to any other year.

“I’m not going to be so arrogant to say we’re going to push for finals or a flag – that’s fake – but our depth is better and the coaching support is as good as I’ve ever had.

“We’ve got Monash Blues Round 1, who came down from Premier B, that’s going to be a really good indicator of where we’re at.”

The additions will add much-needed support to the likes of reigning back-to-back Division 1 league best-and-fairest Sean Calcedo and brother Dean, Tom Hill, Tyson Lowe and Alex Rico.

Preston’s 2019 leading goalkicker Jack Sammartino is the only major departure after he joined Northcote Park.

Alex Ricco is tackled by Brock Egglestone.

The Bullants have warmed up for the season with practice match hit outs against Apollo Bay, PEGS and Hastings.

While the club’s senior core is yet to take the field together it’s given the coaching staff an opportunity to see players in new positions.

Wakim admits three practice matches might not have been enough with a number of key players missing from Saturday’s trip to Hastings.

“We had 20 players out and got beaten pretty convincingly. Hastings are a pretty good team,” he said.

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“It was a good opportunity for us to give some guys who are going to be pressing for senior selection down the track.

“We got to see some guys that wouldn’t get an opportunity to play through the midfield get that opportunity and mix it up a bit.

“We’ve had three good hits outs but I’m still not convinced that’s enough given such a big break and we haven’t had the full senior team together yet.”

Preston hosts Monash Blues at Ruthven Reserve on April, 10.