Coutas snap up recruits
QUEENSCLIFF has taken swift action to reload after a tough season, landing a host of recruits including the signature of St Joseph’s premiership player Paul Dreher.
The Coutas have unveiled eight recruits and also confirmed three returning players as they strengthen their list to challenge for a return to finals.
Ravaged by injuries this year, Queenscliff’s depth was severely tested and it finished eighth after fielding more than 100 players across its senior grades.
Dreher, a mainstay of the powerful St Joseph’s senior side in recent years, joins the club where his girlfriend plays netball.
The Coutas have secured key-position pair Ryan and Jack Baker from Gisborne.
While Jack is slightly shorter than Ryan, he is big enough to hold down a key role at either end of the ground, or swing into the midfield as a bigger-bodied onballer.
Both are established senior players who have been through the TAC Cup (NAB League) system.
Shaun Comerford, also from Gisborne, will bring more than 200 games of Bendigo Football League experience after moving to the region.
Shaun Holroyd, a former TAC Cup and Vic Country player, joins from Lorne, having been a cut above at Colac & District league level in recent years.
The Coutas are bullish about the potential of Nick Maishman, who joins from St Mary’s after overcoming the injury issues that have stalled his senior career in recent years. Maishman has strong family links to the club.
Lachlan Moorfoot, also from the St Mary’s production line, will play at Queenscliff as he returns from a year out of the game. Nick Aringo is back living in the area and has returned to the club.
The Coutas have also confirmed the return of senior players Brayden Warren, Rory Fairbairn and Brock Thompson. The trio didn’t leave the club but were unavailable this year. The only confirmed departure for the Coutas is Jack Exell, who has returned to Melbourne for work.