Bendigo: Golden Square star pair Tom Toma and Rick Monti join Essendon VFL
Golden Square’s job of making finals after a turbulent off-season has just been made harder. See the latest departures.
Bendigo Football League reigning premier Golden Square has been dealt a further double blow with star duo Tom Toma and Rick Monti signing with Essendon’s VFL team.
First-year Essendon VFL coach Blake Caracella confirmed the addition of Toma and Monti, who played for the Bombers in their recent pre-season hitout in the Northern Territory.
It is a massive setback for Golden Square, which had lost more than 10 players from its 2023 premiership team before Christmas following the shock axing of flag-winning coach Christian Carter.
Toma, in his return season to Golden Square, won the club’s best and fairest for a third time after previous wins in 2015 and 2017 in his initial stint at the club.
Monti finished runner-up to Toma in the club champion count.
Toma also finished top-three in the Michelsen Medal behind winner Noah Wheeler from Eaglehawk.
“Tom joined us more recently and has proven to be a tenacious and hardworking player through the midfield and forward line,” Caracella said.
“He has provided great maturity and leadership for our young group.
“Rick Monti joined us from the pre-season and his talent was evident early on.
“He is strong, clever and uses the ball well.
“He is an exciting prospect for us, we love his flexibility and he has trained with the AFL senior team on occasion.”
Caracella has replaced Leigh Tudor as coach of Essendon VFL team.
Golden Square produced the biggest bombshell of the off-season with its decision to dump Carter as coach while he was on holiday interstate.
Carter coached Golden Square to a thrilling win over arch rival Sandhurst in the grand final last year. He has been replaced by reserves coach Brad Eaton.
Other notable departures from Golden Square since the grand final win include six-time premiership player Jack Geary (Cohuna), Liam Barrett (Moama) Matt Compston (retirement), Jake Thrum (Irymple) and Zavier Murley (Castlemaine).
Leading goalkicker Joel Brett and defender Liam Duguid have returned to Shepparton Bears where they were members of the club’s 2018 premiership team.
Sandhurst’s Sam Conforti and Gisborne’s Brad Bernacki have played for Essendon’s VFL in recent seasons.
Conforti has joined SANFL club Sturt this year.
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