Coburg continue to build its list for 2018, with the signings of some of the more talented youngsters from country & metropolitan Victoria, in East Ringwood duo James Belo & Josh Weightman, & Albury young gun Jake Page.
The Lions continue to recruit from the Eastern Football League competition with the signing of East Ringwood 2017 Best & Fairest Winner James Belo. Belo comes off a stunning 2017 Eastern Football League campaign where he won East Ringwood’s Best & Fairest, earnt selection in the Team of the Year, and finished 3rd in the Chandler Medal for the Eastern FL’s division one Best & Fairest. Belo was a premiership player with the Eastern Ranges in 2013, and finished 2nd in that seasons Best and Fairest.
Belo cannot wait to challenge himself at a higher level in season 2018.
“I’m excited to challenge myself against the quality of the VFL, when I get the opportunity to. I’ve found the culture down at Coburg great & really welcoming, & I can’t wait to get out there,” said Belo.
Spagnuolo was pleased to have attained the signature of another player from the strong Eastern Football League competition.
“We’d tracked James throughout the 2017 season and once Leigh Adams was appointed as our senior coach, we sat down and discussed the talent that we’d been watching in 2017. Leigh coached against East Ringwood in 2017 and definitely endorsed James a player that should be playing VFL football.”
“James spent the first few weeks of our preseason in the rehab group but once fully fit, we believe that he can impact the competition immediately given his age and size,” Spagnuolo said.
Belo will be accompanied not only by Sam Lowson, but also Josh Weightman. Weightman is the nephew of former Richmond Champion Dale, and has also established himself as a mainstay of East Ringwood and has been one of its most consistent players since 2015. He topped up in Coburg’s last home game of the season in the Development League against Sandringham, and acquitted himself quite well on the day. He earnt Eastern Football League representative honours in 2017. While he is diminutive, he has been renowned for his contested ball winning ability.
Weightman can’t wait to get more of an opportunity, after a small taste in 2017.
“I’m looking to make the most of my oppurtunities that I have on the offering at Coburg, not just challenging myself at a new level, but also playing alongside the boys, and also under Patch Adams,” said Weightman.
Spagnuolo was delighted to have Weightman joining the club, after having a taste of Development League Football in 2017.
“Josh is a fantastic young man with a great attitude who has earnt his VFL opportunity. Like James Belo and Sam Lowson, Josh is another East Ringwood product who is keen to keep testing himself at a higher level and keep pushes himself to continue to improve. He’s a player that at local level was playing as a midfielder but also across half back and forward at times, so will provide us some added flexibility,“ said Spagnuolo.
Coburg are also delighted to announce the signing of one of the Ovens & Murray Football League’s brightest youngsters in Jake Page, who signs from Albury. Page was a former Murray Bushranger who was a key component of the sides run to the 2016 Grand Final, only to lose to the Sandringham Dragons. Deciding to stay at home on the boarder for 2017, he debuted for the O&MFL powerhouse in round one & played every game and played in the losing Grand Final.
Throughout his Junior career, Page had achieved numerous representative honours, including earning Vic Country Representation at under 16 & 18 level, and represented Vic Country at Under 19 level this year. He is the son of former Sydney Swans & North Melbourne player Glenn.
“I’m stoked to have signed with Coburg for the 2018 season. All the boys have been really welcoming since I first arrived & I’m really excited to see what our young group can do this year,” said Page.
“We’re excited to add Jake to our list. He’s a good size at 189cms and has a terrific left foot kick on him. We first noticed Jake in the TAC Cup Finals series in 2016 for the Murray Bushrangers, which also saw him play a fantastic TAC Cup Grand Final Game,” said Spagnuolo.
“Now with some significant senior footy under his belt, including playing in a Senior Grand Final with a very strong Albury side, he’s now better placed to make the move to Melbourne to continue his football development in the VFL.”
Welcome all three to the club!
To get exclusive news and up to date information instantly, be sure to subscribe to ‘The Roar’ here. From from new player signings, new sponsorship announcements, and upcoming club events and functions, make sure you’ve signed up! You can do so HERE
To ensure that you become a part of the #WeAreCoburg family, please ensure sure you make your purchase for a 2018 Coburg FC Membership by heading to our Online Store, or call us on (03) 9354 8228. If you haven’t done so, NOW is the time to do so!
