WRFL 2019: Yarraville-Seddon unveils new signings

There have no signs of any lingering disappointment on the training track at Yarraville-Seddon as the WRFL club looks to repair the wounds of last year’s shock grand final defeat.

Yarraville-Seddon coach Vinnie Turcinovich. Picture: Mark Dadswell

There have no signs of any lingering disappointment on the training track at Yarraville-Seddon as the Western Region Football League club looks to repair the wounds of last year’s shock grand final defeat.

The Eagles completed an undefeated home-and-away campaign in Division 2 and toppled Point Cook in the major semi-final before losing to the Bulldogs by seven points a fortnight later, marking their third consecutive loss in the decider.

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Coach Vinnie Turcinovich said there had been a “big buzz” during pre-season, with a new-look coaching team and several recruits boosting the enthusiasm.

Turcinovich said having “probably the best ground in the competition” was an important factor in securing the signings, headlined by former Western Bulldogs, Sydney and Carlton player Andrejs Everitt.

The 29-year-old put pen to paper last September and will add versatility to the Eagles’ line-up.

Yarraville-Seddon coach Vinnie Turcinovich with recruit Andrejs Everitt. Picture: Facebook

“I’m really big on managing players that are injured or older players that need a little bit more time,” Turcinovich said.

“Andrejs has had 10-plus years of AFL pre-seasons and it’s probably a good time to give him a bit more of the reigns as an assistant coach. He’s been doing a lot of coaching.

“He will bump his training up and be ready for Round 1.

“We’ll be trying a few things during the year, whether we’re winning or under the pump, just to make sure we can always go back to it come finals.

“He can play anywhere we want him to.”

Kyle Smillie (Wyndham Suns), Kevin Upton (Albion), Cameron Vincent and James Backway (both Caulfield) are others to have put pen to paper.

Upton kicked 38 goals from 17 games in his last season at Yarraville-Seddon in 2016, while Vincent has also returned and can play in defence or midfield.

Smillie can fill a key position role at either end of the ground, while Backway is a medium-sized forward who kicked 19 goals from six senior appearances last year.

“We’ve got a good range. We’ve recruited some bigger bodies, a bit of height, bit more experience and a bit more leadership,” Turcinovich said.

Gun forward Corey Salvador, who booted 51 majors from 13 games last season, is progressing well after undergoing a knee reconstruction.

Big man Jesse Varsamakis, who injured his ankle in the opening stages of the grand final, is also training strongly.

“We haven’t really spoken much about last year,” Turcinovich said.

“We have briefly, but knowing where we went wrong.

“Without saying too much, as much as I take my hat off to Point Cook, things happened leading up to the grand final that were out of our control. Everyone knows in-house the situation.

“It wasn’t our footy that let us down, put it that way.”

The Eagles will meet Wyndhamvale in Round 1 on April 6.

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