By Ben Waterworth (Twitter: @bjwaterworth)
WHO was the best recruit in senior Division 1 footy in 2013?
A plethora of high quality players from other leagues descended on the EFL this season, making an immediate impact in their first year in the competition.
But who made the biggest impact? Who was the most influential?
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Tom Schneider (Vermont) – The former Box Hill Hawk came with big expectations, yet Schneider fitted into the star-studded Eagles midfield with aplomb. He provided the likes of Ryan Mullett, Lachlan Johns Simon Taylor and Robbie Ross with tremendous support. The midfielder, who was named in the SEN Division 1 Team of the Year, played all 21 games, being named in the best 13 times and sneaking forward for 22 goals. Schneider’s consistency was rewarded by taking out the club’s Best and Fairest award.
Rhett Jordon (Norwood) – The Norsemen’s big recruit for 2013 excelled in his first year at the club. After playing his junior and early senior footy with Croydon and a five-year stint with Coburg in the VFL, Jordon was a pillar of consistency for Norwood in 2013, playing all 20 games. Of those matches, he kicked at least one goal in all but one clash to finish second on the club’s goalkicking ladder with 33 goals. Jordon capped off a terrific season by being named in the SEN Division 1 Team of the Year.
Brett Dore (Noble Park) – It did not take long for the big man to become the Bulls’ key focal point up forward. Arriving at Pat Wright Senior Oval with VFL experience at Sandringham and Frankston, Dore registered a career-best season and was named in the SEN Division 1 Team of the Year,. He played all 22 games for Noble Park, finishing with 50 goals despite not kicking more than five goals in a match. Dore’s consistency is epitomised by the fact he was held goalless in only three matches this season.
Ben Weightman (Lilydale) – In what turned out to be a disappointing finish to the season for Lilydale, Weightman was one definite shining light. After being exposed to VFL Development League level with Port Melbourne, the 23-year-old starred for Lilydale, booting 36 goals from 15 games for the Falcons. He was justly named in the forward pocket in the SEN Division 1 Team of the Year.
Justin Van Unen (Vermont) – After booting over 120 goals for Rye in 2012, Eagles supporters had high hopes for ‘JVU’ to become an EFL goal kicking machine. And at the completion of the season, the full-forward had booted more goals than any other senior player in the league – 80. Van Unen was named in the forward pocket in the SEN Division 1 Team of the Year. At the senior presentation night, he said ‘100 [goals] was on the cards’ for 2014 – watch this space.
Taylor Gilchrist (Balwyn) – We all knew Rennie could play, but brother Taylor goes just as well. After two years with the Box Hill Hawks in the EFL, Gilchrist returned to the EFL this season to play a crucial part in Balwyn’s second consecutive win. His dash and drive off the wing and half-back line, which saw him kick 14 goals from 19 games, was a magnificent site. Gilchrist could have easily won the Cliff Tomkins Medal for Best on Ground in this year’s Grand Final. But brother Rennie had the last laugh.
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