REDLAND coach Phil Carse says the players he’s attracted from the Hampden league are built for the NEAFL playing style.
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Four players – Koroit’s Blair McCutcheon, Warrnambool’s Darcy Graham and Camperdown pair Sam Cunnington and Cam Spence – have committed to play for the former Magpies mentor in Queensland in 2019.
Warrnambool defender Aaron Robertson is training in the hope of making Redland’s final 35-player list, while Port Fairy midfielder-forward Kaine Mercovich has decided to remain in Victoria.
Carse, who spent four seasons as Camperdown coach, said he was pleased with the recruiting drive.
“I think the Vic Country boys can have an impact, they all have a lot of senior footy under their belts so they are ready-made players,” he said.
“I was after guys who are pretty good on the running side of their game and can spread well and have a bit of speed.
“It is a bit of a different style of footy in the NEAFL, guys do move quickly, they’re big fields and you are generally playing in dry, fine weather.”
Carse said Mercovich was still on Redland’s long-term radar.
“I have left it open with him and said I’ll touch base with him in February,” he said.
“He’s had a couple of things happen personally and the timing wasn’t quite right so he’s decided to stay in Port Fairy at this stage.”
The Hampden players will be affiliated with a QAFL club where they will play if overlooked for NEAFL selection each week.
“We’re allowed a senior list of 35 players and all 35 will be aligned to a QAFL side,” Carse said.
“Every NEAFL side has QAFL teams in its zone and for us at Redland we have Morningside, Mount Gravatt and Western Magpies.
“In March all the boys’ names will go into a draft.”
Carse said Robertson was giving himself the best chance of being selected.
“We still have a couple of decisions to make for the last spots on the list,” he said.
“We’ve got over 40 training with the group so we’ll have to make some cuts over the next couple of weeks.
“We’ve invited ‘Robbo’ along to train and he’s trying to earn a spot in that 35.
“He’s a running mid-sized defender, he’s been working hard in the gym, he’s strong and he might surprise us.”
Three-time Koroit premiership player McCutcheon said he was excited to get out of his comfort zone.
“I more came for the lifestyle and to get out of town for a bit,” he said.
“I have lived in Koroit my whole life so I thought I may as well get out of home and learn a bit about myself and get out into the big, wide world.
“When ‘Carsey’ put the opportunity forward to me I thought I was probably going to go and that week (visiting in December) I liked the weather up here and it became just about getting a job up here.
“When I got my job and a company car I said ‘why not?’. I’ve got a house with Darcy, Aaron and Darcy’s girlfriend, so everything fell into place.”
McCutcheon, 22, believes the Queensland weather will suit his playing style.
“They reckon the winter is the best part up here when it’s about 25 degrees and it’s not as humid,” he said.
“’Carsey’ painted the picture to me that they’re big grounds up here and dry grounds and there’s plenty of run-and-carry footy, not playing on the cow paddocks we play on down at home during the winter.
“Up here we get to play on the GABBA, play on Metricon.”
McCutcheon said the Saints had given their blessing.
“I am a Koroit boy, I’ll always come back to Koroit,” he said.
“(Coach) Chris McLaren helped me so much get through this, like with the contract. He was disappointed with me leaving but he wants what’s best for the players.
“He’s been terrific, he’s like an older brother, father figure.”
Spence, who was an assistant to Carse at Camperdown, arrived in Queensland on Tuesday with high hopes.
“I liked the environment (when I visited in December) and all the boys seem like they’re on the right path so I thought I’d come up and give it a crack,” he said.
“I’ve got to push myself to the next level to try and get to that next level in fitness and try and stay there.”
Robertson is hopeful of joining his Hampden league mates.
“That is the plan at the moment, to make the final squad,” he said.
“I will give it a crack and see what happens.
“If I don’t make it, I will go to a QAFL team. There’s four in the area we live in.”
Robertson spent four seasons at Warrnambool after crossing from Casterton and believes he can take the next step.
“I am most comfortable down back and enjoy it there or I could see myself as a contested tagger,” he said.
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