East Geelong coach Ned Aulsebrook hopes the arrival of key forward Andrew Steele from Bellarine club Newcomb will help the Eagles push beyond a preliminary final appearance next year.
A St Albans junior, Steele spent the best part of a decade with the Power, kicking 176 goals in 127 games, including a career-best 40 in 2022.
He also earned BFNL Team of the Year selection in 2023.
“We identified pretty quickly after the season ended what we might need to add to take that next step in 2025,” Aulsebrook said.
“And an old head in the forward line to take the pressure off Caleb Ezard was a primary target for us.
“We put our heads together, and Steely’s got a few friends at East Geelong, so we thought he might be a good target for us.
“We had a few conversations with him, and he’s gone away to think about it and met with Newcomb.
“Without getting a signature yet, he’s committed to East Geelong.”
Steele leaves Grinter Reserve with Newcomb’s best wishes.
“After talking through the future plans for the Newcomb FNC Football Program with him recently, we are respectfully bidding farewell to Andrew Steele,” coach Tony Mirabella said in a statement.
“‘Steely’ has been a focal point of the forward line and (a) long-time member of the club for nine years.
“An excitement machine who has been through the tough times, Steely leaves the club with our blessing to play (sic) his craft in the GDFL in 2025.
“He loves the club and is excited for a successful future for the Power.”
Steele is the first big-name arrival at Richmond Crescent this off-season.
However, Aulsebrook is excited by the addition of several under-18s graduates from other clubs, including two from St Mary’s.
“There is some really promising young talent there, and that will hold the club in good stead for years to come,” he said.
“I’m hearing big wraps on Jack Willson as a dynamic small forward coming to us as an 18-year-old from St Mary’s.”
There are two confirmed departures for East, with Ali Maas retiring and Billy Andrew preparing to spend next season overseas with partner Zoey Perovic, who featured in the Eagles’ A-grade netball premiership.
Andrew played both finals this year but injury restricted him to just 12 games.
“To lose a bloke like that around the club who brings the energy and vibe up whenever he is there is disappointing,” Aulsebrook said.
“He and Zoey are going off to work in the ski fields for a year or two in Canada.
“That’s an awesome opportunity for them.”
Meanwhile, Bell Post Hill continues to put the band back together, with joint 2021 Whitley medalist Dylan Witney returning from Great Western.
Witney, a triple-premiership player with the Panthers, joins Caleb Bacely and Nick Costello in returning to Myers Reserve from the Mininera and District club.
X: @krockfootball
