Amid player exodus, Leopold sees some positives

LEOPOLD coach Guy Morphet says an apparent exodus of players will only provide others with opportunity in 2019.

Logan Wagener (Newcomb) and Matt Miller (Werribee Centrals) became the latest Lions to depart from the minor premier after playing 38 senior games between them in Morphet’s first season at the helm. Morphet said he learned of Miller’s GDFL signature in the media after believing the veteran — who lives in Werribee — had retired from football.

“I just read the one about ‘Millsy’ myself, so I’ve got to be honest, it was a little bit of a surprise to me because I hadn’t heard anything about Matt joining Werribee,” Morphet said.

“But I understand by read- ing the article his location and the fact he’s been such a good servant for such a long time — he’s put in a lot of kilometres down the road each week — so I can understand some of the reasons behind it. It was just a bit of a surprise given he was retiring last year.”

Meanwhile, Jesse Lothian is yet to recommit to the Lions after playing 17 games in 2019.

“(His departure) is still not 100 per cent confirmed with us, so until I hear otherwise, at this stage he’s still a Leopold player and a required player,” Morphet said.

But the 2018 GFL coach of the year said he had no concerns about the departures, which also include Billie Smedts and Darcy Keast (North Warrnambool), Mitch McGuire (Drysdale) and Nick Bourke (Kolora-Noorat).

“It’s football, it happens,” Morphet said.

“The players we have lost, we’ve actively replaced, either by new recruits to the club or spots we see for an under-19 player coming through.”

With Cooper Cartledge back from the Falcons program, Alex and Joel Moloney (Terang Mortlake) Jayden Exell (Kyneton) and Peter Farmer (Nollamara, WAAFL) in so far, Morphet said his side could continue its upward trajectory.