EAST Point’s chances of knocking off Ballarat Football League reigning premier North Ballarat City have been given a massive boost, with former AFL-listed player Jordan Staley to make his debut for the club.
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Staley, who has been playing with the North Ballarat Roosters in the VFL this year, spent the last two seasons on St Kilda’s rookie list, having been picked up in the 2011 rookie draft.
He was delisted at the end of the 2013 before being recruited by North Ballarat for the season, nominating East Point as his home club for the year.
With the Roosters facing a bye this week, the 193cm key forward has been released to pull on a Kangaroos jumper for the first time, much to the delight of coach Glenn Wilkins.
“We’re rapt to have him with us this week. It’s great Jordan has nominated us as his home club,” Wilkins said.
“He’s been down to our games so far and we’re looking forward to having him run out in the red, white and blue.”
Although Staley has spent most of his career as a key forward, Wilkins said he was not opposed to throwing him behind the ball in defence.
“We will probably start him down forward, but depending on how the match pans out, he certainly has that versatility where he can play at both ends of the ground,” he said.
Wilkins also said he had hoped to secure fellow Rooster Nick Rippon for the telling clash against North City, although he was not available for BFL selection.
A number of other VFL-listed players have made their way back to home clubs in the BFL this week, including Nathan Horbury to Redan, Liam Youl and James Lukich to Ballarat and Jack Sheahan and Daniel Toman to Sunbury.
East Point will host North Ballarat City at Eastern Oval on Saturday.
patrick.nolan@fairfaxmedia.com.au