The Brisbane Lions boast three players on their current senior list who originally hail from South Warrnambool – Brent Moloney, Jonathan Brown and Matt Maguire.
Surely it’s some sort of VFL/AFL record.
But the experienced trio welcomed a new member to their stable late last year following the recruitment of Lewis Taylor with the Club’s fourth selection (Pick No.28) at last November’s AFL Draft.
However, unlike Moloney, Brown and Maguire, Taylor is NOT a product of South Warrnambool.
The 18-year-old is, in fact, from Terang Mortlake, which is still part of the Hampden Football Netball League and produced the likes of former Fitzroy star Leon Harris.
Having four players from the same country Victorian football league is rare, and something that Moloney says has brought the quartet closer together.
“I think it is great for the Western District area,” Moloney recently told The Standard.
“People follow the guys throughout their careers. Browny and Goose (Maguire) helped me and Lewy Taylor will be a ripper for us.
“He’s a good kid too.”
Moloney has been impressed by Taylor’s attitude and energy since he arrived at the Club, despite the fact he’s been nursing a minor foot complaint.
“He’s coming off a foot injury so they’ve held him back a little bit but he works hard so I can’t wait to see him on the track,” Moloney said.
“The first-year players they hold back in their first few months.”
As for Moloney himself, the former Melbourne best and fairest can’t wait to get stuck into 2014 after a promising first season in Brisbane last year.
“I have settled into the club now and also the city and I feel really comfortable and I am looking forward to a big year,” he said.
“My body feels good and I am really looking forward to starting games.”
Hampden recruits unite
The Lions boast four players from the Hampden Football League in Victoria