There’ve been plenty of big moves for the men’s side this week heading into the beginning of preseason. Here’s a brief recap of the players that have joined the side this past week.
When asked about the first week of announcements, senior coach Andrew Sturgess said “Whenever anybody joins your club and chooses to do so it’s a great reflection on what you were able to present to them, the authenticity and the opportunities that we were able to afford them.
“The exciting part ahead of us is seeing what they could become. Whenever we go into recruiting meetings we do try and promote the fact that we have the opportunity to present to all players the chance to make one of the 23 spots their own every week.
“(Majority) of the guys joining us are coming across from AFL-aligned programs where largely to their points of their VFL career’s they haven’t had the greatest opportunity, not because they’re not good enough but because understandably so the AFL guys get precedent over them.
“For them to come in with a clean slate, the opportunity to make one of those 23 spots one of their own is really exciting.
“They’re (also) all high quality and that’s integral to our recruiting philosophy, which is that they need to bring a level of talent but the underpinning thing of it all is good character. Fortunately for us they fit both those bills and yeah excited to get to work alongside them and hopefully fulfil their potential.”
To kick things off, young ruckman Liam Podhjaski comes across from local rivals the Northern Bullants and joins his brother and co-vice captain Mitch.
A product of the Calder Cannons system and originally from Greenvale, Podhjaski has played 17 games across the last two seasons for the Bullants. In the 14 games he played this year he proved to be a weapon in the air and on the ground, averaging 13.3 disposals, 2.9 marks and 19.1 hitouts per game.
Exciting forward Jackson Bowne comes across after spending last season on Richmond’s VFL list but predominantly playing for local club Bundoora.
The ex-Eltham junior spent 2019 and 2021 in the Northern Knights program whilst even earning himself a senior debut for Bundoora in 2021. This year though saw him play a key role in the Bulls finishing runner-up in NFNL Division, playing 19 games and kicking 15 goals, also earning himself a VFL debut along the way
Defender Charlie Beasley joins us with three seasons at the VFL level for both Port Melbourne and Box Hill as well as VAFA Premier Division experience with Old Trinity Grammarians.
An ex-Oakleigh Charges member, Beasley has played 14 games across 2019 and 2022 for his two former VFL clubs, including nine in his debut season. Since 2019 he’s been a consistent performer as well for his local club, playing 29 games and being named in the best 13 times.
Max Kennedy joins us having spent the past season on Collingwood’s VFL list but predominantly playing for local club Old Brighton in the VAFA Premier Division.
Originally from fellow VAFA club Ormond, Kennedy also spent a season on Port Melbourne’s VFL list in 2019, playing in one game that year. This past season though saw him play a key role for Old Brighton in their runner-up season, kicking 13 goals in 19 games.
Pocket rocket forward Kyle Weightman joins us following a consistent past few years at both local and VFL level.
Since taking the step to senior level for local club Strathmore in 2018, Weightman has become a key player for them up forward, kicking 108 goals in just 59 games, including 63 across 23 games in the last two seasons to help guide them to a minor premiership and a premiership. 2022 saw him play seven games and kick six goals for Essendon’s VFL side.
Fellow EDFL prospect Max Simpson also joins us after spending the past few seasons playing for both Essendon’s VFL side as well as local club Aberfeldie.
Another product of the Calder Cannons NAB League system, Simpson has played 14 games across the past two seasons for the Bombers, including 10 this year where he averaged 11.1 disposals and three tackles per game. When playing for Aberfeldie though he was a key player, kicking nine goals in 12 games this year in their push to the Grand Final.
And last but not least Adam Carafa joins us after a year on Collingwood’s VFL list but predominantly playing for local club Banyule.
The Banyule junior was also another member of the Northern Knights NAB League program in 2018 and 2019 before spending the last two seasons playing for his junior club. Across 2021 and 2022 he’s played a key role in midfield for them in helping them gain promotion to Division 1, playing 24 games as well as kicking seven goals.
Stay tuned for more signings set to be announced in the next few weeks!
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By Joshua Ward
Coburg FC Media
