Looking at South Morang Football Club’s new recruits this season you could be forgiven for thinking that they look familiar.
After finishing third last year and winning one final in division 3, the Northern Football League club has looked to experience as it looks to fill the missing link.
Among those who are set to take to the park for the Lions are a number of ex-players who have returned to the club.
Football manager Mark Muscat said the signing of Paul Harrison, who will also be assistant coach, was the biggest signing for the club.
Harrison is a legend of the league, having played more than 200 games for Whittlesea and Bundoora.
He played with Kilmore in the Riddell District Football League last season.
“We identified that young players are good but couldn’t psychically match it against Thomastown [who won the premiership],” Muscat said.
“The players we’ve picked up are good experienced players.
“Paul is the main one, but we’ve also picked up Wayne Pavitt, Travis Stevens, David Berryman, who are all ex-South Morang players who have come back.
“Matt and Luke Manning are also ex-players coming back who will provide experience.
“Simon Crump and Tristan Simms are others who are joining the club who will provide plenty of experience.”
Muscat said the younger players had taken to the new players.
“The older players can potentially see that it is a talented young group where they can teach them to have success.
“They have really gelled well with the older guys doing a lot of the talking and when the older guys speak, the younger guys listen.
“Preseason has been about showing them how hard it is to play regular good senior football, not just about playing senior football.”
He said two of the younger players who had really stood out are Anthony Capeci and Ben Nesci.
“Both of the boys are training with the Northern Knights, so we are unsure how much they will play for us.
“We are hoping for them to learn to take the next step. They have showed they are capable of playing senior football.”
Muscat said he expected the competition to be a close one.
“Our aim is to be as competitive as possible and hopefully the experienced players will help with that.
“Reservoir, Epping and Banyule by all reports will be competitive.
“Reservoir was runners-up last year and Epping is coming down from division 2 and has the experience which will make things difficult.
“Expect some good things from St Mary’s as well.”
