Ballan has gained the services of a VFL-experienced player for the 2019 Central Highlands Football League season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Luke Edmondson has signed with the Blues, which are now under the care of new senior coach Tristan Batten.
Edmondson played three VFL games with Frankston last season and has previously featured at state league level with Port Melbourne.
Ballan vice-president David O’Hanlon said Edmondson had a family connection at the club, which helped secure his signature.
“He told us he had plenty of calls so it’s good to be the winner,” O’Hanlon said.
“The family connection was the one that kicked the goal with us.”
O’Hanlon said Edmondson would likely hold down a midfield or forward position in the side and added some much-needed experience to what is a young senior group.
Edmondson played with Tooradin-Dalmore in the South East league during 2017 and Seaford in the Mornington Peninsula Nepean competition this year when not featuring at VFL level.
Batten has taken over the senior coaching role at Ballan from Jason McNamara, who led the club throughout the past two seasons.
O’Hanlon said McNamara was yet to inform the Blues of his plans for next season, but was hopeful he’d remain at the club in a playing capacity.
In other recruiting news, Learmonth has landed the brother of senior coach Nick Willox.
Matt Willox will play with the Lakies in 2019 after agreeing to make the move from Glenroy in the Essendon District league’s premier division.
He shapes as a key defensive option for the side, which finished in 10th spot in 2018.
Nick Willox said his brother would play some early games and then head away for his honeymoon before returning for the late part of the season.
He confirmed key forward James Pratt would also return for next season. Pratt played some early games with the Lakies this year before returning to his home club Kalangadoo.
