More young Lions recommit for the 2017 season
While last week saw the announcement of three youngsters re committing to the club for 2017, we’re also pleased to announce a few more have re-committed to the cause for the following season.
We’re delighted to announce that four of those young Lions consist of Matthew Merlo, Dylan McDonald, Jack James, & Cameron Holdsworth.
A former Calder Cannons captain, Matthew Merlo made a belated arrival to Piranha Park having spent the previous two seasons with Williamstown where he was a Development League Premiership Player in 2015. Merlo has managed five appearances so far in 2016, and has also been a top performer when in the Development League side.
Former AIS and GWS Giants Academy Member Dylan McDonald arrived at Piranha Park in 2016 after two solid seasons with the Murray Bushrangers in the TAC Cup. An elite runner in regards to endurance, Dylan made his senior debut in round 1, 2016 as 23rd man and has managed two senior appearances this year in total, and is best suited as an outside midfielder however is also capable of playing on the ball.
Gisborne Junior Jack James was the recipient of the inaugural Adam Saad Scholarship with the Calder Cannons in 2015 as a 19-year-old. While he is yet to make his VFL senior debut, Jack has shown promising signs in the Development League despite suffering from minor soft tissue injuries throughout 2016. Normally a defender, Jack is equally capable of playing as a midfielder and established a reputation in the TAC Cup with his tackling and work ethic.
Western Jets 2014 graduate Cameron Holdsworth made his senior debut in the round 10 win over North Ballarat as the 23rd man and retained his place in the side for the next week after. The Albion junior is capable of playing at all ends of the ground either as a tall or medium option, however has usually been deployed as a forward in the clubs Development League side in 2016 where he has managed nine goals from nine games.
Lions List Manager Sebastian Spagnuolo was pleased to see a few more youngsters from the 2016 list re commit to the cause for 2017. “We’re extremely happy to have these boys re-commit to the club for 2017. At Coburg we are building a strong and supportive team culture and we’re pleased that Matthew, Dylan, Jack and Cameron have brought into our future.”
These four players join Danny Younan, Michael Ercolano, Josh Iacobaccio and Zak Wunhym as players already re contracted for the 2017 season, with a few more also to be announced later in the year.
