2016 Ovens & Murray League representative James Svarc has joined Coburg for season 2017, signing from Corowa-Rutherglen.
Since his debut in 2013, Svarc has managed 78 goals from 55 games. While he only managed ten games in 2016 in which he kicked 17 goals, he suffered a wrist injury mid-season that ended his season prematurely. He established a lethal partnership in attack with former Coburg player Luke Gesiter, which saw the Roos reach the finals in 2014 and also saw him receiving recognition for his performances, in the form a nomination for the O&M rising star award.
He joins former Corowa teammate Mick Mattingly at Piranha Park in 2017, as well as fellow 2016 O&M Representative Christian Burgess- the pair combined for six goals in the big win in May, as Svarc was named among the teams best on the day. He also adds to a contingent of players from New South Wales, which besides Mattingly and fellow new signings Burgess, also consists of Mitch Betson and Connor Byrne.
Svarc is a hard leading, enigmatic medium forward, who was a constant threat for his opponents despite the lack of opportunities up forward and team success achieved, until his season-ending injury.
At 21 years of age, Svarc feels that the time is right for him to give VFL Football a go, and cannot wait for the 2017 season to begin.
“Well I reckon it’s just the jump in standard that I was just looking for, it was just that I felt like I’m at that stage of my career where I can take the next step and give it a red hot crack,” said Svarc.
List & Recruiting Manager Sebastian Spagnuolo was delighted upon Svarc accepting the opportunity given to him for the upcoming season.
“James couldn’t play much footy in 2016 due to a broken wrist injury but has impressed during preseason with us and we believe he has reasonable scope to develop further, having only played local football to this point,” said Spagnuolo.
“With more training in our environment and development from our staff, we see James as someone that could have an impact at senior VFL level, predominantly as a medium forward.”
Svarc’s signing rounds out Coburg’s five in five campaign for the week, as we potentially will have another round of five, next week.
