Geelong Advertiser |PLENTY of stars have graced the turf at Shell Oval in the last 20 years. But few have excited like Ryan Robertson.
“He’s probably the best recruit that I’ve seen come to the club,” senior coach and Corio stalwart Barry O’Toole said.
“He played seniors at North Shore when he was 16-17. He only played eight games last season because of work but he’s a super player.
“He’s hard at it, has great skills and he’s really fit.
“He’s going to add heaps to our on-ballers along with Jack Baker and David Holzfeind.
“I think we’ll be really strong through the middle of the ground.”
Robertson is among a long list of recruits that have joined the club, which came agonisingly close to closing its doors late last year.
The Devils reached a crisis point when O’Toole was controversially sacked and replaced by Mark Hounslow.
A host of players threatened to walk and O’Toole was later reinstated as senior coach.
The president resigned and George Baker came in to pick up the pieces.
Since the controversy, Corio has stabilised a rocking ship and brought in more than 25 players.
About 15 have departed, but O’Toole believes the list is better placed to build on last season.
Key defender Rob Cornwell is a loss for the Devils but there’s plenty of positives, according to O’Toole.
Backman Michael Bowman, originally from Corio, helps off set the departure of Cornwell.
“He adds some real pace in the backline. He’s a good tackler and applies a lot of pressure. He’s a good player and it’s good to have him back,” O’Toole said.
Mark Pelham, from Barwon Heads, will slot into the defence while hard nut Jack Baker and Todd Smith bolster the new-look onball division.
Shane Baker, who followed his brother back to Corio after a stint at Bendigo, provides run off half back.
The lightly framed Hayden Leech (Bell Post Hill) and Jake Manning (Thomson) add genuine pace, while Trent Smith (North Geelong) gives the Devils a focal point up forward.
Smith booted 81 goals for North Geelong in the Colts and will team up with Jack Cleary in attack.
Otway Districts big man Wade Bowyer fills the ruck void.
“He’ll be our No. 1 ruckman. He’s really fit, a good size and gets around the ground well. And he can go forward and kick goals,” O’Toole said.
O’Toole said the arrival of 40 players to a recent practice match was evidence the club was back on track.
“Our sponsors have stuck with us, George Baker has really turned the club around and got us going in the direction that we want to be heading.
“It was looking ugly. I grew up and this club and I’ve been here my whole life and I thought this was the end of it,” he said.
“We called out to all the players, past and present, and said you’ve got to get here and support us or we fold or merge.
“To turn that around, it’s taken a lot of hard work but things are really looking up.”
To help boost flagging under-14 and under-16 numbers, the club has struck a sponsorship deal allowing kids to play for free.
Heath Keenan, of Environmental Services Group, will cover the costs of AFL Victoria and club memberships, as well as shorts and socks, to ensure no one misses out on a game.
