VFL: Essendon searches country Victoria with success to bolster playing list

JOEL Ottavi was making life difficult for defenders in the Central Highlands league when Dan Jordan was first made aware of his talents.

Nick Hind has graduated from Ballarat club East Point to be one of Essendon VFL’s leaders.

JOEL Ottavi was making life difficult for defenders in the Central Highlands league when Dan Jordan was first made aware of his talents.

The tall forward, who attracted attention when he booted 46 goals from 20 games for Buninyong in 2016, is one of eight players on Essendon’s VFL list aligned with clubs in country Victoria — a growing trend which Jordan has been at the forefront of.

The Bombers mentor was a playing coach in the Ballarat league with East Point for three years and is acutely aware of the depth of talent in country football.

Jordan played with Essendon’s deputy vice-captain Nick Hind when the speedy midfielder was taking his first steps as a senior footballer at East Point.

Ottavi has also joined the Roos as a VFL-aligned player this year, while East Point forward Jake McQueen is another country gem who has been listed by the Bombers.

Joel Ottavi was spotted playing country footy by Essendon VFL. Picture: Mark Dadswell.

“Most of the guys on our list are guys that I have known about or kept an eye on at country level,” Jordan said.

“I have got a few from Ballarat, Bendigo way which are probably the competitions I know the most about in terms of the personnel and the good young players coming through there.

“We have also got a few (from the) ammos. I used to play a bit of ammos at St Bernard’s so have got a fair few contacts through there.”

James Ferry and Trent Crosbie (Gisborne), Kalan Huntly (Castlemaine), Jamieson Sheahan (Strathfieldsaye), Alex Marklew (Wangaratta) and Kieran Strachan (South Bendigo) are the other Bombers aligned with country sides in 2018.

“We went for guys this year that have got a bit of pace and could use the ball reasonably well,” Jordan said.

“You have also got to take into account the level of footy that they have played.

“I played with Nick Hind when he was 17, 18 back at East Point and I really liked how he went about it. I got him down last year.

“Joel Ottavi ... was just playing Central Highlands footy which is well below any of the major leagues.

Ruckman Keiran Strachan’s talents were spotted while playing in the Bendigo league. Picture: Hamish Blair

“I thought he might have just had something and be a two or three-year project player and turn into a key-position player.”

With limited spots on VFL lists, Jordan said clubs had to be “quite selective” about whether they chose players with an eye on development or listed those who could make an immediate impact.

“We are also looking for experienced guys that have played senior footy for a number of years that can come in and make an immediate impact as well,” he said. “As well as the guys that you think with some development could turn into good VFL players.”

Essendon is in a fortunate position where it has talent spotters trawling the TAC Cup, VFL and other state leagues for the best talent to complement its list.

But the Bombers do not neglect community or country football, as their VFL signings in recent years suggest.

“It’s a bit of a balancing act,” Jordan said.

“You are obviously always concentrating on your team and what you need to do.

“But you have always got one eye on the future and potential talent you think might be able to come in.”

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