Ethan Penrith reveals why he’s ready for a second crack at VFL footy

After a standout season with West Preston-Lakeside, Ethan Penrith is ready for another crack at the VFL with the Northern Bullants.

A renewed love of the game has led dashing half-back Ethan Penrith back to the VFL and the Northern Bullants.

The West Preston-Lakeside speed machine is excited by the prospect of taking his game to a new level after previously playing 21 games for the Northern Blues.

Penrith produced a brilliant 2021 campaign for the Roosters, finishing fifth in the Northern Football League Division 1 Rosbrook Medal and earning Team of the Year honours.

Playing as a damaging half-back he was named in the best in six of 12 games and earned the club’s Players’ Player of the Year award.

It helped him rediscover his passion for footy.

“Having the year off (VFL), playing local footy made me feel the love of the game again,” he said.

“I thought I’d have another crack at VFL and apply myself to playing a high standard of footy and there’s a few mates here as well, which helps.

“The COVID year, 2020, I was going to have that off anyway, I was going to go back to local footy, play with some mates – I played juniors at West Preston – and being there helped me find the love again.

“A few people said I was moving a bit better, I guess that helps with the enjoyment and being around mates.

“Obviously, Robbie (Maiorana) and the coaching panel at West Preston they trusted me to do my role and the boys I was playing with let me, not do what I wanted to do, but play how I play.

“I got a call from Grant King about coming down and doing a pre-season, I took it, ran with it and here I am.

The connection to Preston City Oval is strong.

Penrith previously played for the Northern Knights before graduating to the Northern Blues under Josh Fraser.

Ethan Penrith during his time at Fitzroy Stars. Picture: Josie Hayden

Ethan Penrith in action for the Northern Blues. Picture: George Sal

He spent 2021 working with Maiorana – a Bullants life member – at West Preston-Lakeside, who was disappointed to lose one of his best players but supportive of Penrith’s desire to play at the highest level.

He’ll also reconnect with several former Blues teammates who remain at the Bullants.

“I’ve had some really good coaches with some good experience behind them, some seasoned players as well, they obviously know their stuff,” Penrith said.

“Robbie had a chat to me about coming back to VFL, obviously wasn’t really happy about not being at West Preston, but he’s been really supportive.

“They all bring it back to having fun as well, playing VFL is a serious competition, but it’s not all business, we can have a laugh as well, which is what you want.

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“Kobe Brown played at West Preston as well last year, he’s come across, JL (Jean-Luc Velissaris) I played at the Blues with, Tom Wilson and Sunny Brazier.”

Still only 22, Penrith hasn’t given up on the ultimate dream of being drafted but has a simple goal for 2022.

“I guess I just want to play a high standard of footy and try to bring what I bring to local footy to VFL and play my role,” he said.

“The draft aspirations are still there but for me it’s just about playing a high standard of footy while I’m young enough and have some decent footy left in me.”