Border Mail |
YARRAWONGA could get even stronger next season after yesterday making it clear it would do all it could to lure back 2012 premiership pair Brandon Symes and Matt Shannon.
The duo are priorities on their former club’s recruiting radar as the back-to-back premier plans its assault for a hat-trick of premierships next season.
“We want those two back,” Yarrawonga co-coach Chris Kennedy said.
“They’re both local boys who are premiership players.
“We won’t be looking externally for recruits until we know what we’ve got to work with locally.”
Symes had a break-out season in the ruck with Yarrawonga last year before trying his luck at a higher level with Williamstown in the VFL this season.
He broke into the strong Seagulls’ line-up in round 19 after spending most of the year in the VFL’s development league where he played in a premiership.
Shannon took a break after the Pigeons’ success last year and has been travelling since.
The key defender is expected back on the Border within months.
At the same time, there are few signs of any exodus from the Pigeons’ ranks.
“The commitment at this stage seems fairly good,” Kennedy said.
“They all seem keen as mustard.
“Obviously, they’re enjoying the break at the moment but we’ve got a very happy and motivated group.”
Plenty of fringe Pigeon players are in the sights of neighbouring district clubs.
But Kennedy said there were still ample opportunities for locals to make their way at the Ovens and Murray club.
“We’ve had eight guys play in a reserves premiership who have gone on to win a senior medallion, too,” Kennedy said.
“We’re pretty proud of that.”
Symes, Ricky Barnes, Matt Irvine, Corey Greer, Matt Gorman, Luke Ednie, Marcus Cummins and Beau Seymour are those players.
