WRFL: Wyndham Suns sign dual league best-and-fairest Todd Lawrie
One of the leading players in Western Region Football League Division 3 is on the move, signing on with a one of his former club’s rivals in a big off-season switch.
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Decorated midfielder Todd Lawrie has put pen to paper with Wyndham Suns in a recruiting coup.
The experienced star has switched to the Suns after a successful stint with Western Region Football League Division 3 rival Tarneit.
Wyndham Suns coach Dean Cachia said his club was “very excited” to secure one of the competition’s leading players.
“To me, he’s in the top two or three players in the Division 3 competition,” Cachia said.
“There’s no doubt he could play second or first division in the WRFL and be a good player.
“His poise and skill, he’s always got time with the footy in hand. He’s not the biggest guy going around but he’s tough. He gets tackled, knocked around and he pushes through all of that. You can put him forward, he’s got great forward craft and finishing ability.
“As a recruit, you couldn’t ask for anything more.”
Lawrie is a two-time winner of the highest individual honour in Division 3, the Ron and Thelma Angwin Medal, collecting the award in 2016 and 2019.
He was also a three-time best-and-fairest at Tarneit and has been named in the Team of the Year in three of the past four seasons.
“I’ve known Todd for a number of years – from back to my days playing at Wyndhamvale,” Cachia said.
“There’s a bit of a link there, but it’s amazing he’s come on board with us.
“The amount of excitement it’s caused already, the phone calls I’ve been getting, the messages, even from guys I’ve played with in the past at Werribee Centrals and Wyndhamvale.”
Cachia has guided the club through an uncertain period after a player exodus put Wyndham at risk of folding after a grand final appearance in 2018
The Suns contested back-to-back finals series before slipping outside the top four last year.
2019 best and fairest Jarrod Vella, Michael Ryan and Paul Tomelty headline the re-signings for next season.
Michael Hart, Adam Moscatiello, Adam Scarpino, Kaine Williams, Mitchell Jerkovic, Cody Harkin and Ash Gallina have also re-committed.
Lawrie’s signing marks a signal of intent, with the Suns’ culture and a young playing list key in attracting the star performer.
But while they have ambitions to earn promotion to Division 2, Cachia said it would not be a case of “premiership or bust” next year.
He said the Suns were building for a bright future after several changes to their senior squad.
“There’s not big money being thrown around for anybody, even Todd,” Cachia said.
“If people actually got the facts of what it was, they wouldn’t believe that he’s come across.”
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