New Devon Meadows coach Steve O’Brien joins president Michael Brick and major sponsor Mark Alder (right) in welcoming star recruit Aaron Henneman to the Panther pit after he signed a two-year deal with the club on Monday.By Brad Kingsbury
EXCITEMENT is building at the Glover Reserve after Devon Meadows officially signed former Essendon defender Aaron Henneman to a two-season deal this week.
Henneman headlines an influx of players to the 2007 winless cellar-dwellers that is hoped will provide the impetus for a move, firstly off the bottom and secondly, up towards the top five in the Casey Cardinia League under new coach Steve O’Brien.
The 27-year-old key-position player was drafted at selection number 25 from the Murray Bushrangers in the 1998 National Draft and played 58 senior games with the Bombers over six injury-plagued seasons.
He transferred to Yarra Valley and Mountain District side Silvan, under former Bombers teammate Gary Moorcroft this year, but was lured to Devon Meadows by Panther Matt Davey with whom he works as a member of the Victoria Police.
At 195cm and 100kg, he will likely fill the role of either centre half-forward or centre half-back and president Michael Brick said that it was the first big step of many as the club tried to re-establish itself as an on-field power.
“There’s a fair buzz around the club at the moment and it’s a very exciting time,” he said.
“Aaron has signed on for two years and is keen to help the club move forward. We’ve already picked up a couple of other players and will be talking to several more in the next week or two.”
Among the signings are playmaker Brett Armitage and former club best-and-fairest player Scott Morrison, who both return to the Glover Reserve after stints with other clubs.
Later this week Panther officials will also speak with super talented Tasmanian prospect Robert Gilligan, who has been pointed towards the club by ex-coach and former St Kilda hard man Rod Keogh.
Gilligan played with North Tasmania Football League club Burnie this season and has represented the NTFL twice under Keogh’s coaching in the past four years.
