MANGOPLAH-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes have signalled their intentions for a big 2017 with the return of Dylan de Britt and Jordan Foster.
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The Goannas are determined to go two better than this year’s preliminary final loss and have been quick to add de Britt and Foster to their squad.
Both men established themselves as rising stars when bursting on the scene for MCUE as teenagers and have spent the few seasons in Melbourne.
de Britt is a key defender but can play up either end of the ground, while Foster is a key forward.
The signings were announced at the club’s presentation night on Friday and MCUE coach Travis Cohalan rates the pair as the perfect fit for the Goannas.
“It’s very exciting for the club,” Cohalan said.
“The main thing is that they are Mango boys that have gone away to play at a higher level, they’ve got careers in Melbourne down there, but they have always expressed a desire to one day come back and play at the club.
“We’re excited that they have decided to do it next year.”
Both men played at Westmeadows this year in division one of the Essendon and District Football League.
Before that, de Britt, 27, spent the previous three seasons in the premier division with Avondale Heights.
Foster, 26, kicked 35 goals from 13 games this year for Westmeadows and spent the previous six seasons at University Blacks in the Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA). They won the premiership in 2012.
Both men will travel from Melbourne.
Cohalan can see similarities between his team and the premiers 12 months ago.
“Our blueprint is the same as what we saw was successful for Tigers this year,” he said.
“If you look at them 12 months ago, they were in the same situation and were probably short three or four experienced players. You could argue a very fair case that we were probably short three or four stronger, experienced, mature bodies this year.
“So it's a step in the right direction, bringing two mature footballers and people back to the club.”
Cohalan added that most importantly, both recruits were ‘good people on and off the field’.
Meantime, Harry Collins captured another best and fairest at the Goannas’ presentation night on Friday.
