Edenhope-Apsley have made a big acquisition ahead of the Horsham District league 2019 season, with key-forward Carl Slape joining the Saints from South Gambier in the Western Border Football League.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Coach Chris Oliver used to play with Slape in the Western Border league, and is confident he will be a great addition to the team.
“Carl’s another big man to open the forward line up,” Oliver said.
“I played with him a couple of years ago at Mount Gambier and I know he’s going to be a really strong player.”
Read more: Edenhope-Apsley votes against merger
Standing at an imposing 191 centimeters, Slape will provide a much needed target up forward, a key position Edenhope-Apsley have lacked in the past.
Cameron Domaschenz was the club’s leading goal kicker with 35 goals last season, the fourth lowest for a club’s leading goal kicker in the competition.
While Domaschenz and fellow smaller forwards functioned well, Oliver said Slape’s bulk will give the side a clear target up forward.
“Those big bodies really help, I think we lacked a bit of size up forward this year,” Oliver said.
“Our forward line worked extremely well, but we probably lacked that little bit of size, so he’s just going to give us that little bit extra.”
Oliver described the Western Border league where Slape has come from as “another step up” in quality from the Horsham District league, and expects big things from Slape next season.
In addition to Slape, Edenhope-Apsley are also hoping to make a few more key signings over the coming months to strengthen the team and hopefully take them further than their preliminary final appearance last season.
“Hopefully we have a few more recruits to come. We’re still talking to a few but nothing is confirmed as of yet,” Oliver said.
“We just want to go that next step next season. There’s a lot of belief left in the team after last year and I think we surprised ourselves a bit as well.
“Now we’ve just got to go on with it.”
