VFL 2020: Port Melbourne defender Lachie Waddell leaves VFL
Port Melbourne was able to restructure its backline into a formidable outfit after losing all of its defenders before last season. Now, the team has lost three more — including a premiership-winning key backman.
Victorian Football
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Port Melbourne 2017 premiership player and key defender Lachie Waddell has left the VFL.
The 24-year-old told coach Gary Ayres last Friday that increasing work commitments wouldn’t allow him to continue with the Borough.
Similar to last season, it’s left Ayres with the task of recasting his backline: Waddell’s departure follows that of Ryan Pendlebury and Shannen Lange.
Waddell, 202cm and rangy, made the transition from a ruckman to a tall defender in 2019, playing every senior game.
He was named in the best in five of his 21 appearances, and had a top-10 finish in the best and fairest.
“He said his job and the requirements and expectations of the VFL weren’t going to work and he’s made a call to step away,’’ Ayres said this morning.
“We’re disappointed to lose him obviously, because he played his part in that amazing 2017 year, when he had to take on a huge responsibility late in the finals. He copped big ‘Meesey’ (Nick Meese) when Khan Haretuku went down with an ankle injury in the prelim final and then he had to cope with Shaun Hampson and Ivan Maric in the grand final.
“As everyone knows, we lost all of our defenders before the start of 2019 and we were able to restructure and come up with a pretty formidable unit.
“We’ve got some kids we want to see step up. Ethan Phillips has been really good in the pre-season. We’ve got young Dirk Koenan from the NEAFL. We’ve got guys like Dan Beddison, Dion Johnstone, Harvey Hooper, Dylan Van Unen, and we’ve been able to recruit some versatile players like Tommy Cameron and Chris Jansen, so I think we’ll hold up OK.’’
The Borough had been keen to recruit former Gold Coast Sun Jack Leslie to strengthen their defence, but he has joined Williamstown.
Still, Ayres said Port had been pleased to sign players including Jansen, Mitch McCarthy (Frankston), Nash Holmes (North Melbourne VFL) and Jack Blair (Collingwood VFL).
“We haven’t lost a huge amount of personnel from our preliminary final 23 and with what we’ve gained … we think we should be thereabouts again, provided we do the hard work,’’ he said.
The NAB League signings include Eastern Ranges graduate Zac Pretty, who topped the disposal count in the Under 18 competition last year.
Pretty has also made a home-club commitment to VAFA power St Kevin’s.
“Without putting too much pressure on the kid — and bear in mind he hasn’t played any VFL — we think he can build into a pretty handy player,’’ Ayres said.
“Like all players he’s got things to work on but he’s got a good manner about him and he works hard. They’re pretty good qualities to start off with.’’
Port has also signed another O’Sullivan – Jeremy, a tall forward from the Calder Cannons and unrelated to co-captain Tom O’Sullivan and half forward Tom “Junior’’ O’Sullivan — midfielder Harry Minton-Connell (Calder Cannons), the son of former league forward Simon, and Oakleigh Chargers graduate Jeromy Lucas, who kicked three goals in their grand final victory over Eastern.
But former ace forward and Richmond player Dan Connors has abandoned his attempt at a VFL comeback.
Port’s other losses include 2017 premiership forward Blake Pearson (who has signed at Eastern club Norwood) and Khan Haretuku (Frankston Bombers).
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