by Ben Waterworth (Twitter: @bjwaterworth)
WHO was the best recruit in senior Division 4 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 with their new club.
But who made the biggest impact? Who was the most influential?
VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE VIA THE EFL POLL
Tyson McKenzie (Silvan) – The guys on Ekera EFL Sunday almost got sick of reading ‘McKenzie’ out when analysing a Silvan game as he was read out so frequently. After an eight-year hiatus away from the EFL, McKenzie returned to Melbourne’s Eastern suburbs, this time in a Cats jumper. The 26-year-old did not disappoint, booting 27 goals and accumulating 10 best player mentions from his 18 games. McKenzie became one of the best and most valuable goal-kicking midfielders in the competition and was rewarded with a place in the SEN Division 4 Team of the Year.
Nathan Jumeau (Forest Hill) – The Zebras forward went from an unknown to a hero during the course of the 2013 season. The hype around Jumeau, who transferred over from VAFA club Fitzroy at the start of the year, grew throughout the 22 weeks, climaxing in the Division 4 Grand Final where he kicked two late fourth-quarter goals to send the match into Extra Time. Jumeau finished the year with an impressive 53 goals and 10 best player appearances from 20 games. He was named on the half-forward flank in the SEN Division 4 Team of the Year. Above all, he undoubtedly won the attention and respect from other Division 4 clubs and fans.
Luke Conca (Surrey Park) – When the Western Australian rocked up to Surrey pre-season training one night and simply asked for a game, coach Andrew Toop would not have envisaged the enormous impact Conca would make on the club and Division 4. The 23-year-old was a massive reason behind the Panthers’ romantic and well-publicised resurgence that saw them fall agonisingly short of a finals appearance. Conca led from the front, playing all 16 games and booting 35 goals – the most of any Surrey player – from the midfield. His outstanding season was rewarded with a club Best and Fairest award and rover selection in the SEN Division 4 Team of the Year.
Alex Benbow (South Belgrave) – Saints coach Dean Burnell must have been rubbing his hands together when the 2011 Morrish Medallist agreed to play up the mountain in 2013. And Benbow did not let his coach down, registering an outstanding individual season and helping the Saints to an emotional premiership. After 20 goals and eight best player mentions from 17 games, the 20-year-old was a deserving winner of the Perc James Medal – the EFL’s Division 4 League Best and Fairest Award – and the Division 3 and 4 Leader Young Gun award. He also took out South Belgrave’s club Best and Fairest and was named as the ruck-rover in the SEN Division 4 Team of the Year. No doubt Benbow is too good for Division 4 – now Division 3 – EFL level. But the Saints are not complaining!
Joe Griffiths (Forest Hill) – The boy from Monash Blues arrived at the Zebras with high expectations – and delivered. Griffiths was a pillar of consistency throughout 2013 in defence and through the midfield, recording an astonishing 13 best player mentions from 19 games. He won the respect of the Division 4 coaches as well, being named in the 30-man squad for the SEN Division 4 Team of the Year. Griffiths was a key component behind the Zebras’ late-season resurgence and subsequent Grand Final appearance.
VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE VIA THE EFL POLL
Pat Rattray (Silvan) – With his tall frame, long arms, accurate left-boot and fiery red hair, ‘Pat-Rat’ was never hard to miss on the footy field throughout the season. Following successful stints with Nagambie, Warburton and Tongola, Rattray arrived at Silvan before the start of the season with big expectations. Sixty-nine goals from 16 games later and the big full-forward is now one of Division 4’s most talented and dangerous forwards. Rattray’s consistency was rewarded with a spot in the 30-man squad for the SEN Division 4 Team of the Year.