WRFL 2020: Brendan Fevola signs with local footy club Deer Park
AFL great Brendan Fevola is set for a shock return to the field in 2020, joining a local footy powerhouse just months after announcing his retirement — and he will be doing it for free.
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It’s official – crowd-pleaser Brendan Fevola is back in the Western Region Football League.
And the former Carlton and Brisbane Lions spearhead will be playing for free.
Determined to finish his career on a high, Fevola put pen to paper with Division 1 powerhouse Deer Park on Tuesday, just months after announcing his retirement.
This will be Fevola’s second stint at the Lions, with the star forward booting 50 goals from 11 games for the club in 2016, including a bag of four in its grand final victory over Hoppers Crossing.
Deer Park coach Marc Bullen said he expected the popular Fevola to make at least 10 appearances for his team this season around his media commitments.
“It’s terrific. It’s probably been in the wings for a little bit,” Bullen said.
“I suppose it’s a testament to our program. Fev rang us … he was driving past (John McLeod Oval) on Ballarat Rd heading towards Ballarat for a function, and he made some pretty strong friendships back in 2016 and said he didn’t finish off the way he would have liked last year.
“He offered to come back. He doesn’t want to get paid a cent for it and all he wants to do is enjoy his footy.
“He’s forged an outstanding career from where’s come from. All he wants to do is contribute to the team. It’s a testament to his character.
“Hopefully it can generate another round of excitement and encourage some blokes to come and watch on the weekend and hopefully some blokes to pull on the boots and train with him.”
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Since his successful one-year stint at the Lions, Fevola has had two seasons in coaching roles at Ballarat league side Melton South and took the field for Hastings in 2019.
He kicked 30 majors from 10 games for the MPFNL Division 2 outfit, including a nine-goal haul against Devon Meadows in July, showing he has not lost his ability to cause myriad headaches for defenders.
Bullen revealed Fevola had implemented a strict diet plan, shedding about 9kg and aiming to lose another 15kg.
“He’s going to be in the goal square with a (Jack) Redpath and a James Wong, so they’re three very good players,” he said.
“I’ve been following him on Instagram and he’s backing it (his diet) up at the moment. He’s looking to get down to about 105kg.
“He’s going to be a dangerous proposition after playing 10, 12, 14 or 16 games and then heading into a finals series.”
Deer Park has won the past seven premierships in the WRFL – a suburban record for a top-flight competition.
Fevola’s return is a major boost for the competition’s leading club, which has waved goodbye to star trio Kwame McHarg, Jase Perkins and Max Bruin, who have crossed to Southern league side Port Melbourne Colts.
McHarg is one of two players – along with Chris Stewart – to feature in all seven flags.
He also claimed the WRFL’s highest individual honour, the Barry Priest Medal, in 2016 and is a two-time winner of the Herb Pascarl Medal for best player in the grand final.
“What he (McHarg) has done for our football club is just unbelievable,” Bullen said.
“He’s always going to be a Deer Park champion.
“We certainly wish him all the best because he’s got the best CV in the history of the Western Region league.”
Shannon Byrnes, Jackson Barling and Daniel Cooper have retired, while Kevin Klix (East Keilor) and Shaun Harrison (Macedon) have also exited.
The Lions also have just 41 player points available in 2020 – an average of 1.86 per player – as the WRFL looks to even the playing field.
“It’s exciting times. We’ve been pretty dormant throughout the off-season, obviously with the (player points) restrictions we’ve got,” Bullen said.
“But when you get past players wanting to come back, you certainly open up your doors and you welcome them with both hands.”
Fevola is one of the biggest drawcards in local football and has made several one-off appearances for clubs across the country since his AFL retirement.
Fevola, who came through NAB League side Dandenong Stingrays, booted 623 goals from 204 games at the elite level from 1999-2011.
He was a three-time All Australian, two-time Coleman medallist and Carlton’s leading goalkicker on seven occasions.
Deer Park will host Caroline Springs in Round 1 on April 4.
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