Tara Murray
Roxburgh Park will have a new look forward line in the Essendon District Football League division 1 next year.
The Magpies have been busy early in the off season and been one of the club’s most active in announcing player signings.
Magpies coach Michael Farrelly said it was an exciting time for the club.
“It’s good for us coaches and current players to have an injection of new players,” he said.
“Coming off COVID we weren’t in a position to play in a grand final so we looked to continue to develop.
“We’ve had some big success with sponsors and we’re in a good position. The next step for us is to play finals.”
The two big signings for the Magpies so far has been key forward pair Nathan Carroll and Cooper McPharlane.
The pair cross from the Sunbury Kangaroos where they kicked 68 goals between them this year.
Farrelly said with Raafat Rachrache leaving and Matt Patane getting towards the back end of his career, they needed to add some players to the forward.
“Cooper and Nathan will bring in some youth and are also big personalities,” he said.
“They’ll have some big energy and will reinvigorate our attack for sure. We wanted to look towards the future.”
Farrelly said they were far from finished with refreshing their forward line as they look to have a number of different options down there.
Others who have signed with the club include Theodore Miliopoulos, Jamie Bellam, Seamus Mulchay, Daniel Perry, Connor Bills, Jacob Nicholls, Robbie Barnard and Blake Woodsford.
Farrelly said they had looked to add some kids who would come in and have an impact at a young age.
The Magpies signings aren’t finished with Farrelly said they had signed a key backman among others to strengthen their defence.
Farrelly said while they wanted their seniors to play finals, they were also focused on ensuring they have a strong reserves side as well.
