Former Geelong midfielder Jordan Schroder headlines a host of new recruits at Essendon Doutta Stars
FRESH off the back of announcing the signing of Essendon champion Dustin Fletcher earlier this month, Essendon Doutta Stars have confirmed a further eight key recruits for season 2017.
Feeling its midfield lacked depth in Essendon District Football League Premier Division this year, the club targeted some quality on-ballers in the hope they will take it forward.
Former Geelong midfielder Jordan Schroder headlined the list of inclusions, the 23-year-old crossing to the Stars after two years on Essendon VFL’s list.
Hard-nosed midfielder Nathan Kazuro (St Bernard’s) is also on-board, as is one of his 2015 VAFA premiership teammates in Alex Boyse, who will align himself to the Stars instead of the Snowdogs next year as he enters his second season as a member of Essendon’s VFL squad.
Returning to Nipper Jordan Oval is defender Jono Morris — who has spent the past two seasons at The Basin as a playing co-coach — and former club junior Aaron Di Matteo (Northcote Park).
Mid-sized forward Rhys Estall has joined the Stars after spending last season at Mt Gravatt in the NEAFL, where he kicked 54 goals.
Other recruits are explosive small forward Jack Landt who has crossed from Sunbury and classy midfielder Robert Allan, who joins his brother Jamie at the Stars after spending two years away from football.
RELATED: Essendon champ Dustin Fletcher commits to Doutta Stars
Essendon Doutta Stars football manager Paul Barnard said the club was thrilled with the additions and believed it now had the midfield depth to take it up to the competition’s top sides.
“I think for us we needed to have a really good crack at deepening our midfield,” Barnard said.
“Given the likes of Abers and Strathmore and Greenvale and Keilor have all got depth through their midfields, we specifically went out there and got some depth.
“It gives us a chance. I still maintain that there’s some ripping teams out there. The competition is fairly even now right down to the eighth and ninth spot. Anyone can beat anyone on any given day so you’ve really got to have depth in your squad if you have injuries. We’d like to think we’ll be thereabouts but time will tell.”
Barnard said the Stars had retained all but two members of their 2016 side — winner of TV show The Recruit Matt Eagles (Brisbane) and Simon Clarke (retired).
Essendon Doutta Stars finished fifth in their first season in Premier Division this year after being promoted from Division 1.