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Joeys add former Bellarine Rookie of the Year

February 5, 2025 2:30 pm in by
St Joseph's signed Torquay big man Ed McCoy. (Image: Marcel Berens/Sports Media)

St Joseph’s has added to its big man stocks following the signing of Torquay young gun Ed McCoy.

McCoy, who won the Bellarine Rookie of the Year award in 2023 as he helped the Tigers to that year’s premiership, put pen to paper at Drew Oval late last week.

“I think the opportunity for him to play week in, week out at a higher standard has really influenced (his decision),” coach Ron Watt said.

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“And also the fact that he will be tutored by Peter Street, who’s been with us for a few years as an assistant coach.

“He’s doing a lot more work with Werribee this year than with us, but he’ll still be a big influence for Ed.”

The arrival of McCoy, who stands 205cm, will give St Joseph’s numerous options as he looks to replace South Adelaide-bound Oli Northam.

However, Watt has played down Joeys’ ability to cover Northam, not just on the field.

“I don’t think anyone can fill Ollie Northam’s shoes. I mean, who’s going to bring the music? Because Ollie was a bit of a character?” Watt joked.

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“Ed will no doubt provide a selection opportunity for us there to fill that role. But we have others we were looking at using to play through the ruck position anyway.

“We have Oscar Morrison and Joey Chaplin, and Liam Betson and Benny Clark, and Dylan Sharp.

“That gives us five people who could play through that ruck position quite easily.”

GFNL: INS & OUTS

As K rock Football revealed last week, former Geelong Falcons Cooper Ward and James Hose have signed at Drew Oval.

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Returning to Joeys after a stint at Barwon Heads, Ward has also signed with reigning VFL premier Werribee, with 2023 GDFNL Rookie of the Year Hose still training with the Tigers.

“He’s a pretty driven young fella, and it’s what he’s really been trying to do for the last two or three years is to take another step with his football,” Watt said of Ward.

“I’m really pleased for him, and we’d like to think that when he’s playing with us, he’ll be an influential player.”

The return of Ward and the arrival of McCoy and Hose caps a fruitful off-season for last year’s minor premier.

Joeys have also welcomed back premiership star Cal Mitchell and defender Joey Chalpin and added Grovedale sharpshooter and former Tiger Keelin Betson, who has most recently been playing at Mooroopna.

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“We had a couple of specific needs, and we’ve been able to do that now with Ed,” Watt said.

“One was a ruckman, and the other was Mitch Chafer, who we pursued right from the start.

“He was a missing piece for us, somebody who could give us a bit of experience up the forward end to,

“And we’ve been able to do that to complement all the young talent we have, and (he can) also come through the middle of the ground when needed.

“And we’ve been pretty lucky that a couple of other options have come through and presented without us realising that was going to happen.”

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St Joseph’s will face VAFA club St Kevin’s and Old Brighton in practice matches before a blockbuster meeting with Newtown & Chilwell at Elderslie Reserve to open the GFNL season.

X: @krockfootball

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