Mate factor helps build Eagle stocks

The Collie Eagles’ premiership hopes have received a massive boost with the signing of four key players for the 2018 season.

Forward Tony Mirabella has returned to the club after one-year in the West Australian Amateur Football League, while the Eagles have also signed former Perth and Swan Districts midfielder Aaron Elari, former West Perth league footballer Joel Leeson and Collie resident Brennan Carlisle.

Mirabella was one of the Eagles most important players in previous seasons, working as an industrious forward with a strong of pair of hands.

Eagles coach Seth White said he was pleased to have Mirabella back at the club.

“He won’t be available every week, but he will be handy when he is around,” he said.

“We won’t play him forward every week with the forward line we have, so we may have to play him in a different role.

“He has been coaching for the past few years, but he wanted to get away from that and enjoy playing for a bit.”

Elari played 110 league games for Perth and Swan Districts between 2010 and 2016 and he will be an inside midfielder for the Eagles.

“We have had a bit to do with Aaron for a couple of years now and he is good mates with Michael (Florio),” White said.

“Elari is an in and under player.

“He has played for Perth and Swans in the WAFL, so he is very experienced.”

White believes Leeson, who played 66 WAFL games, will help fill the void left by reigning Hayward Medallist Travis Cleggett’s move to Subiaco.

“He is tall for a midfielder and has elite skills,” he said.

“Joel wanted to come to a bit better competition.”

White said Carlisle would also add more depth to the Eagles’ midfield.

“He is good mates with Blair Malatesta and Teke Vernon and they all want to play together before it gets too late,” he said.

White believes the side he is assembling could push for the Eagles first premiership since 2005.

“Obviously with a few moves that are going around with other clubs there will be others that will be pretty strong,” he said.

“We will set our sights on making the top five and work from there.”