VFL 2018: Coburg out to add more players with senior experience to list for 2019

COBURG will scour community footy for the next Lochie Dickson as it looks to add ready-made VFL talent to its list for 2019.

COBURG will scour community footy for the next Lochie Dickson as it looks to add ready-made VFL talent to its list for 2019.

Dickson was a revelation in his first season at Piranha Park, winning more disposals than any other VFL defender, after joining the club from Eastern Football League outfit Norwood.

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The dashing half-back flanker, who averaged 21 disposals in 18 games, arrived at Coburg as a 23-year-old with more than 50 games of senior experience at Norwood and having featured in an EFL premiership.

Lions coach Leigh Adams said Dickson’s seamless transition to the state league demonstrated the value of recruiting players from local leagues.

“We’ll definitely get our fair share of young recruits coming through, but if we could snag a few blokes who have played at VFL level that’d be great,” Adams said.

“At least have three, four or five years of senior footy under their belts and will probably adapt to the level a bit quicker.”

Jesse Corigliano is one of the more experienced players on Coburg’s VFL list. Picture: Hamish Blair.

The importance of adding experience to the Lions’ list was emphasised when captain Tom Goodwin told the club he would be moving on, having been linked with other VFL teams and interstate clubs.

Dickson and on-baller Marcus Lentini were two of Coburg’s shining lights as it finished Adams’ first season in charge with a 1-1-16 record.

Lentini, 19, was the most prolific midfielder in the VFL in his maiden campaign with 509 disposals, an average of 28.3 per match.

“(Marcus) was the main one in terms of the way he has been able to adapt to the level,” Adams said.

“With our recruiting, we will go after a lot more of those senior-type players who have played local footy before.

“I think we will do that because of the success we have had with blokes like Lochie Dickson this year.

Dashing defender Lochie Dickson made a seamless transition from Norwood to the VFL. Picture: Chris Eastman.

“He’s a 22, 23-year-old, that played a full season for us off halfback and was fantastic.”

Adams said small forward Sam Lowson (19 goals, 13 games) and defenders Harrison Nolan and Jesse Corigliano had provided reasons for optimism.

The more experienced trio of Ryan Exon, Nick Mellington and Ben Allan also displayed their quality.

“Every coach is a competitive person,” Adams said.

“When you finish on the bottom of the ladder with one win, it makes it tough.

“We’ve looked at it and said we have got the games into the kids that we needed to and they have come along really nicely. We feel like we have got a good group of 25 guys that are really up to the level of playing VFL footy.”

Adams has recommitted for a second season as coach.

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