Wangaratta Rovers are hoping to have a player straight from an AFL list make a handful of appearances next year.
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Max Spencer has nominated the Hawks as his second club as he looks to join the VFL after being delisted by the Gold Coast Suns.
“(Rovers’ coach Daryn Cresswell) ‘Crezza’ coached him at Palm Beach Currumbin,” Rovers’ football operations manager Barry Sullivan said.
“He developed under ‘Crezza’, then getting on the Gold Coast Suns’ list.
“He’s moving back down south and we’ve signed him as a home club player.”
The 190cm defender has spoken with Werribee, so if he doesn’t play VFL, he would make the trek to the Hawks.
The VFL draw hasn’t been released, so Rovers will be hoping he might be able to sneak in a game before the competition starts.
At just 21, it’s expected Spencer will use the VFL as a second chance for future AFL selection.
He debuted against Richmond in his two-year stint, playing five games.
“At the end of the day if he stays on our list for a couple of years and tries the VFL system, but it doesn’t work for him, then, who knows, we might end up with him permanently,” Sullivan said.
It’s the second piece of positive news for the Hawks in less than a week after former Wodonga Raiders players’ Nick Murray and Tom McCaffrey followed Cresswell to his new club.
McCaffrey’s in the same position as Spencer, making the Hawks his second home after signing with Casey Demons.
“I wouldn’t say we’re done and dusted (recruiting-wise), but we are pretty comfortable with where we’re sitting,” Sullivan said.
“We want to really rely on some of the young talent coming through, making sure they get the opportunities as well.”
The Hawks won the under 18 competition and boast one of the league’s most talented juniors in Leo Dean medallist Ed Dayman.
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