AS PREDICTED in this column several weeks ago, star FRANKSTON DOLPHIN forward Justin Berry confirmed last week that he will return to his former club CRANBOURNE next year. Berry signed on at Casey Fields for three years during a meeting on Tuesday night and he was officially welcomed back to the fold by current president Gerry Kelly and former president and recently awarded life member Frank Johnson. Berry’s inclusion will bolster the Eagles attack and provide a foil for key goalkicker Marc Holt, and the whisper is that one or two more big-name players will join Berry and sign on the dotted line soon.
NARRE WARREN officials were celebrating last week after favourite son and gun midfielder-forward Nick Scanlon agreed to return to the Magpies in 2010. Scanlon had a solid season with CASEY SCORPIONS in 2009 but his senior opportunities were limited and he wanted more from his footy. He fielded several offers from a number of clubs including Eastern Football League and Ellinbank and District League pursuers, before deciding he wanted to play his football with his premiership teammates back at Narre Warren.
ELLINBANK has appointed WARRAGUL utility Ross Glover as senior coach for next year. The hard-at-it Glover played with GIPPSLAND POWER before a three-year stint in the SANFL with WEST ADELAIDE before returning to Warragul two seasons ago. The Bankers are also delighted that rugged 2009 coach Jeremy Reid will remain with the club as an assistant coach. Ellinbank struggled last season, finishing second bottom, but officials are confident they will improve next season. Their faith has been buoyed by the possibility they will pick up a few of Glover’s Gull teammates and also lure a few former players back to the club. The Bankers are confident that former best and fairest winner Luke Bond, who stepped aside from football to concentrate on his business interests, may return in 2010, while forward Koby Jolley, who ventured interstate last season, has also returned. With the promise shown by thirds stars Tim Farthing, Adam McGrath and Luke Cropley, the Bankers may be far more competitive than many believe.
THE playing future of delisted COLLINGWOOD ruckman Chris Bryan is a hot topic of conversation around the traps. KEYSBOROUGH is the big bloke’s home club but there is every chance he will be seriously looked at by a third AFL club, HAWTHORN, (he started his AFL career with CARLTON) and if that falls through there is believed to be a third option available. Bryan is a huge kick of the football and could very well be the next AFL player to have a crack at punting in the NFL if he does not find a new football home.
BEACONSFIELD is tipped as the front runner for the much-sought-after services of FRANKSTON midfielder James Magner. A former Eagle junior who played seniors at the Perc Allison Oval before joining the Dolphins two years ago, Magner has been high on the shopping lists of several Casey Cardinia League clubs since the end of the season. Beaconsfield has apparently made the best approach to date.
WARRAGUL has re-appointed Peter Fusinato as senior coach for 2010. His deputy will be star centreman Ryan Davey, who won his fourth consecutive best and fairest trophy this season, despite missing a number of games through injury. Off field Peter Corstorphin, after four seasons at the top, has stepped down as president and been replaced by Chris Blackwood, the father of senior squad member Wes.
FORMER HAMPTON PARK coach Jason Caples has joined CHELSEA as the Seagulls’ bench coach for 2010. After taking the side to the first semi-final the season before, Caples walked out on the Redbacks in January after a post-Christmas fall-out with the club. Caples played 232 games including four premierships with SPRINGVALE and joins former teammate Steve Harrison who is embarking on his second season as playing coach of the bayside club.
LAST season’s big improvers WARRAGUL INDUSTRIALS looks likely to strengthen its list over summer. Former captain Shane Ingram, who played at WARRAGUL in the past two seasons, two-time best and fairest Dean Moore and tall utility Russell Ware are all set to return to the club. On the downside experienced ruckman Gerard Biongiorno, who struggled for game time with the emergence of Ben Hobgen, is likely to accept and offer from KORUMBURRA. The Dusties will again be coached by Wade McGill with assistance from Manny Peresso and Shane Brewster.
SALE has announced former forward Nick Anderson will be its senior coach in 2010, replacing Adrian Cox, who was recently appointed senior coach of WGLFL rival MORWELL. Anderson, whose only senior coaching experience was at STRATFORD a few seasons back, was the chairman of selectors at HEYFIELD last season under his brother Stuart, a former AFL premiership player at NORTH MELBOURNE. Former Magpie stars Kain Martin, Phil Harris and Chris Aurisch, who all played with EDFL premiers NILMA-DARNUM this season, are expected to return to the Magpies nest. Sale is also chasing former players Dylan McLaren, who played AFL football at with BRISBANE and defender Craig Flint, a rookie-listed player with CARLTON in 2007.
