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News Update - Cougars Land Another Gun, More Coaches Re-Commit

By Adem Saricaoglu


STRATHMORE Community Bank Division 1 contender East Keilor is set to unveil its latest recruit, with former Cougars junior Bruno Laguda heading home to Overland Reserve.

The flashy 23-year-old excelled as a top-ager with the Calder Cannons in 2015 before going on to share his time between Essendon’s VFL side and Essendon Doutta Stars at senior level across four seasons.

In 2019 he played 11 games with Douttas before cementing a spot in the Bombers’ line-up as they progressed deep into the VFL finals series.

Laguda’s signature adds even more quality depth to Pat Christofi’s line-up, with Fabian Brancatisano, Lockie Rayner, Marc Lock, Tim Bongetti, Paul Scanlon, Kevin Klix, Lachlan Calder, Brandon Coletta and Victor Micallef having come into the Cougars’ squad since the end of the 2019 season.


PATRICK Byrne has been confirmed as Avondale Heights’ senior coach for the next two seasons .

Byrne was set to replace Donald McDonald this year before the season was cancelled due to COVID-19.

The Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division club confirmed the re-appointment via social media on Friday.

“Great news as Patrick Byrne (Paddy) has agreed to terms for Season 2021/22 as senior coach,” the club’s Facebook post read.

“Unfortunately all the hard work he put in for Season 2020 did not play out on field and we look forward to seeing what he can pull together for Season 2021 as we continue to build as a club with a strong vision for what the future holds.”


WESTMEADOWS has re-committed to both its senior men’s and senior women’s coach for the 2021 season.

Mo Kaakour will again take charge of the Tigers’ senior men as they look to build on a promising 2019 Division 1 campaign that yielded 10 wins and a finals berth, while Wayne Spicer will be hoping his EDFL Women’s side can improve on the 7-7 result they posted a year ago.

Both re-appointments were revealed via club socials on Saturday.

“Both Mo and Wayne, along with their assistant coaches and players leadership group, laid out a foundation during the pre-season for what we believe would have been a very successful 2020,” the club’s Facebook post read.

“They have continued the connectedness with the players during these lockdowns and are looking forward to a big 2021 season.”


PETER Lohner is still the man tasked with returning the Northern Saints to finals contention in Strathmore Community Bank Division 2.

The Saints sensationally parted ways with Brett Kennerley after just one year at the helm following a fifth-placed finish in 2019, while a handful of key players, including Tamer Abdallah, Eliot Kako, Kole Judd, Jake McSwain and Mark Sabatino also left Charles Mutton Reserve last summer.

Northern was keen to re-establish some stability and looked internally to fill its most key vacancy, with club stalwart Lohner appointed to take the reins in 2020.

Over the weekend the Saints confirmed Lohner as their senior coach for 2021, while also locking in Rick Baxter as reserves coach.

“Peter has been instrumental in driving club culture and a team first approach, and is excited to nurture some of our home grown talents,” the club said.


In case you missed it, Tara Murray has in recent weeks provided all of the latest coaching and recruiting news from around the league.

Catch up with these links below:

July 17 - Coaching Update - Three Changes Confirmed

July 24 - Coaching Update - Premiership Coach Departs

August 3 - News Update - Monday August 3rd

August 14 - News Update - Re-Signings For Roos, Fog, Pies

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