WRFL 2021: Spotswood signs former AFL player Nick Graham

A midfielder with six years of experience at AFL level has signed with a Western Region Football League club for 2021.

Nick Graham, who played 48 games at AFL level, has joined Spotswood. Picture: AAP Image/Joe Castro

Former AFL player Nick Graham has put pen to paper with Spotswood in a significant boost to the club’s prospects of claiming its first Western Region Football League flag since 2011.

The 26-year-old spent six years on Carlton’s list and made 48 appearances at the top level from 2013-18.

Graham had signed with Division 2 outfit West Footscray for the cancelled 2020 campaign.

But he will take the field in Division 1 this season and is set to lock horns with his brother Brian, who has joined Sunshine.

“We see him as a long-term option,” Spotswood coach Anthony Eames said of his star recruit.

“He’s mates with a few of our boys, so it makes it a lot easier, and he’s a class fellow and obviously a class player.

“It gives us a bit more depth through that midfield, but he can also go forward, so he’s going to be very handy and a tough match up I would have thought.”

Eames said Graham, who lives close to Donald McLean Reserve, had impressed on the training track in recent weeks.

He will bolster the Woodsmen’s on-ball division alongside captain David Iaccarino and Steve O’Bryan.

“He’s been training every night for a little while now,” Eames said.

“He’s fit, healthy and we’re looking forward to a strong year from Nick.

“We’ve had a couple of intraclubs that he’s played a small amount of game time in. We certainly don’t need him to prove himself, but he’s keen to have a run and his on-field direction provides a bit more leadership to back up Iaccarino and O’Brien through (the midfield).”

Fletcher Roberts during his days at AFL level. Picture: Michael Klein

Western Bulldogs premiership player Fletcher Roberts could also run out for Spotswood if not selected for the VFL.

Roberts, who played 51 AFL games, has linked with Port Melbourne as he chases a second chance at the elite level.

“He’s signed with us as his local club for the right reasons. He could get more funds elsewhere I would have thought,” Eames said.

“But he commits to his mates and trained with us a few times last year.

“But we’re hoping he has a big year in the VFL. I know he’s pretty keen to get himself re-drafted, so hopefully that comes off for him and he never, ever pulls on a Spotty jumper.”

Jordan Boyd has also signed with Footscray’s VFL team.

Brydan Hodgson will be full-time with the Woodsmen in 2021 after calling time on his state league career, while Ben Deller has arrived from Williamstown CYMS.

Jason Marks and Charlie Nastasi are the only departures of note since the 2020 season was canned.

The Woodsmen contested eight consecutive grand finals between 2007 and 2014 for four premierships, but it has not returned to the big stage since.

Spotswood will face Hoppers Crossing in a Friday night blockbuster in Round 1 on April 9.

Eames said player management would be key after a season off.

“We’re pretty happy with where we’re at,” he said.

“But now it’s about how everyone manages not playing for 12 months and getting back into the rigours of week to week.

“No one knows how players are going to pull up. I would suspect in the first 3-5 weeks it might be a bit tougher.

“Rehab management in my opinion is going to be one of the main areas.

“It’s about managing our group and making sure everyone’s ready to go by the following Saturday.”