WRFL: Andrejs Everitt signs with Yarraville-Seddon for 2019

YARRAVILLE-Seddon has wasted no time strengthening its list after a shock grand final loss, with a former Western Bulldogs, Sydney and Carlton player signing on.

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

YARRAVILLE-Seddon coach Vinnie Turcinovich has identified a lack of leadership as a key factor in the club’s shock grand final loss after the Eagles unveiled Andrejs Everitt as their first signing of the off-season.

Everitt played 131 games for Western Bulldogs, Sydney and Carlton in a 10-year AFL career and has spent the past two seasons coaching Somerville in the Mornington Peninsula Nepean league.

While he will add class to the Eagles’ young side, he also brings invaluable knowledge to Yarraville Oval.

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Yarraville-Seddon entered Sunday’s Western Region Football League Division 2 decider with an undefeated record but went down to Point Cook by seven points, marking the club’s third consecutive defeat in the final match of the year.

Andrejs Everitt in action for Carlton. Picture: Michael Klein

“Being such a young group, that (leadership) is probably where we lacked on Sunday,” Turcinovich said.

“We’ve got a couple of good leaders, but a really good side will have your six, seven, eight good leaders.

“Because they’re such a young side, they’ve got to step right up, and it was a little bit hard for them.”

The Eagles started discussions with Everitt, who lives in Yarraville, about a month ago.

He played eight games for Somerville this year for a return of 13 goals, including a haul of seven against Tyabb in May.

The 29-year-old contributed 34 goals from 18 matches in 2017.

Asked where Everitt would play, Turcinovich shot back: “Anywhere we need him.

“He would have been good on the weekend to take a couple of grabs up forward, defend down back or get it out of the middle.

“With his experience, it will definitely help the team out.

“He is pretty keen to stay local and help the juniors out and help the senior group as well.

“He will be welcome with both arms.”

Turcinovich said he was left “shattered” by his side’s grand final defeat after a dominant season.

Andrejs Everitt spent the past two years playing for Somerville. Picture: Brendan Francis

“Playing our worse game of footy, I was lucky to pick my top five (best players). In previous weeks you’re picking out of 12 players,” he said.

“He (Everitt) has already had a chat to a few of boys and they’re keen, so ready to go again.”

There is still a possibility Yarraville-Seddon could earn promotion to the top flight on the back of its success in recent years, despite failing to get the job done at the weekend.

“The young boys will hopefully put 5 or 6kg of muscle on and be a little bit mature as well,” Turcinovich said.

“With a couple more experienced leaders, we should have another good season.”