Raise them right and they come back is continuing to pay off for Keilor in the Essendon District Football League premier division.
The Blues announced last week that former junior Josh Honey had committed to the club full time next season.
Honey played his junior football at the club before being drafted by Carlton, playing six games before being delisted at the end of this year. He didn’t play a senior match the past two seasons.
Keilor coach Mick McGuane said they were thrilled to have Honey back at the club.
“It’s really exciting and shows what we do in the individual’s journey to where they want to go,” he said.
“They don’t forget what you have done for them and where they wanted to go.”
McGuane said Honey was starting a new phase of his life which played a role in him deciding to just play local football and not play in the Victorian Football League.
He said Honey took plenty of time to figure out his football future.
“In discussions with him it was more about his career now,” he said. “He’s a first year apprentice and is focusing on that and his education.
“Trying to do that and overlaying time commitments after work with VFL can be quite a heavy schedule.
“In Josh’s case, he had think, if I don’t think there’s an opportunity to get redrafted and can’t dedicate time 100 per cent, there’s no point doing it.”
McGuane has never coached Honey before, with him only playing juniors previously, but recalls seeing him about the club as a junior, recalling him to be very humble and never forgetting where he came from.
The addition of Honey is a big inclusion for the Blues, who are coming off a perfect season in 2023.
The majority of the squad is locked in again for next year.
“Matthew Clark is the notable omission he said. “He’s been at Keilor for the last six years.
“Time for a life change geographically and he decided to make that decision to play at the local level there.
“He goes with our blessing and as a two-time premiership player. He’s the only premiership player not continuing on.”
“Stefan Fadovanovic is another home grown talent who will be back after his travel and Josh is back into the fold.
McGuane said they were continuing to push those at the club to play at higher levels.
A significant number of players are involved in the Coates Talent Pathways, while a number of others are trying to get VFL contracts.
“They will be better for the experience,” McGuane said. “They want to live the dream and we never compromise that and it bodes well with experience
“We don’t hinder the process. Corey Ellis, Damien Cavka, Nick O’Kearney and Josh Honey have all come back.”
McGuane said there would be pressure on for spots again, with nearly 100 players at their first training session and another 40 either at the pathways or VFL or have rehab or work commitments.
