Ovens & Murray: Matt Taberner signs with former club Myrtleford

An O&M team tipped to make a surge up the ladder has confirmed a big signing on eve of season.

Myrtleford has been given a major boost on the eve of the Ovens & Murray league season with the signing of former junior Matthew Taberner.

Taberner was delisted at the end of last year by the Fremantle Dockers where he kicked 173 goals and played 125 matches from 2013.

The 31-year-old was recently added to the South Fremantle coaching staff and Myrtleford will be hoping he can be released to play enough matches to qualify for finals as it shapes to make a charge up the ladder.

Matthew Taberner played 125 matches for Fremantle Dockers.

“I’m super excited about returning to Myrtleford and to contribute to the club where it all started for me,” Taberner said.

“It’s a great opportunity for me to give back to the Saints community after the club did a lot for me before I was drafted.”

Myrtleford coach Craig Millar said Taberner would be a “huge boost for us” when he plays.

“His professionalism, experience, and leadership will be invaluable,” he said.

“We can’t wait to see Matt back out on the field wearing the Myrtleford colours again.”

Taberner booted 32 goals from 14 games at WAFL level for Peel Thunder last year as Fremantle turned to Josh Treacy and Jye Amiss for its key forward spots.

FORMER BOMBERS STICK TOGETHER

Leongatha favourite son Dyson Heppell could be joined by another former Essendon player at the Gippsland league club this season.

In the countdown to round 1 on April 5, Kaine Baldwin has nominated Leongatha as his “home club” and, like Heppell, will play when not required for VFL club Port Melbourne.

Baldwin missed the first round VFL match due to an ankle injury.

Kaine Baldwin playing for Essendon in the 2022 pre-season. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The first chance Heppell and Baldwin could play for Leongatha will be April 12 when there is a VFL bye for the interstate match against the SANFL.

Leongatha is home to Sale on the same day.

“It’s a ‘wait and see’ how things play out,” Leongatha coach Trent McMicking said.

“It’s the same with all those VFL boys we’ve got at the club.

“But from all reports he’s a ripping guy and is mates with a few of our players.

“There is a massive amount of water to go under the bridge about if and when they play.

“But if there is a way we can get four games into them all and they are eligible come finals time we would be very happy.”

Leongatha coach Trent McMicking, Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Baldwin, a 193cm key position player, was cut by Essendon after playing eight senior matches in four injury-interrupted seasons.

Heppell collected 21 possessions in his first outing for Port Melbourne last Saturday.

Leongatha also has forward Jenson Garnham and Patrick Ireland on the Casey Demons’ VFL list.

Ireland kicked 111 goals for Buln Buln in the Ellinbank District league last year before signing with Leongtha in addition to Casey.

Dyson Heppell in his final AFL match for Essendon last year with Dylan Shiel, Zach Merrett and Matt Guelfi. (Photo by Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

He missed selection in round 1 of the VFL.

“There could be a lot of moving parts for us this year,” McMicking said.

Leongatha starts its redemption for a shock loss to Traralgon in last year’s grand final with a round 1 away clash with the reigning premiers.

Other regular VFL players aligning with Gippsland league clubs this year include Will Hayes at Warragul and Cooper Vickery at Bairnsdale.