EFNL 2023: Two-time league medallist Russell Cowan headlines Upper Gully recruiting haul

Dual competition best and fairest Russell Cowan has joined the Kings, fresh off back-to-back flags with Powelltown in the Outer East league.

A seven-time league representative, the midfielder spent time at Mt Evelyn where he won one of his comp medals – the other at Powelltown. He’s also previously played at Gippsland club Bairnsdale.

Upper Ferntree Gully senior coach Mark Fisher said Cowan’s experience would be invaluable to the young playing group.

“We specifically wanted a mature footballer with nous for the game – my biggest thing was I needed someone to help all our young blokes,” Fisher said.

“We’re ridiculously young, and that’s one thing we lack is some maturity around the ball and to help and teach, and he’ll take that in his stride.

“He’s going to be massive for us.”

The Kings have also secured Yarra Junction midfielder Dylan Cawsey, who averaged 33 possessions a game in the Outer East’s Division 2 this season on his way to selection in the Team of the Year.

Meanwhile, Jake Cawsey returns to the club where he kicked 60 majors from 20 matches as a 19-year-old in 2016. In the past two years he’s had stints with Northern club Lalor and Yarra Junction this season, kicking 25 goals from 11 matches, averaging 6.6 score involvements a game.

“Dylan’s just an inside ball magnet, essentially,” Fisher said.

“He wants to learn and wants to get better … he’s in really good nick.

“His brother (Jake) is older, I coached him at Rowville (Sports Academy) and we had the connection there – he’s matured, he wants to get fit and he’s a goalkicker.

“We get enough inside-50s but we haven’t been able to convert and score. He (Jake) knows where the goals are.”

Defender Jake Saltum has put pen to paper, returning to the Kings after stints with Dalyston in the West Gippsland league, Knox and Robina in AFL Queensland where he played 15 matches this season.

“His leadership will be great for us,” Fisher said.

Other signings include versatile inside midfielder Brad Pepi (Caulfield Bears), defender Byron Phillips (The Basin) and half-back and wingman Lachie Wright – an under-19 best and fairest with Boronia – who returns to the Eastern league after two seasons with Dalyston.

Speedy forward Travis Strange also returns following overseas travel, while the Kings have lost just one player – two-time premiership defender Andrew Godfrey – who has headed back to Dingley.

Upper Gully finished last in Division 2 this season with just one win and will compete in Division 3 next year following relegation.

But Fisher, who’ll embark on his second campaign at the helm, is bullish his group can rebound.

“Our depth will be deep, we’ll be really strong in that space,” Fisher said.

“Going back (a division), is probably realistically going back to their level.

“I see it as a real positive because they’ve got to play at their level – and with our recruits, and what we did against some of the good teams (in 2023), we’re fully expecting to be very competitive.”

Originally published as EFNL 2023: Two-time league medallist Russell Cowan headlines Upper Gully recruiting haul