EFNL 2023: Ex-AFL Saint Nathan Wright, Berwick tall Charlie Muley sign at Beaconsfield

A former AFL utility has landed at Eastern Division 1 club Beaconsfield, while a gun tall from a top-division outfit is also among its swag of signings. Latest here.

Daniel Cencic

@DanCencic

2 min read

October 18, 2023 - 11:21AM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

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An ex-AFL Saint headlines Beaconsfield’s haul of recruits, while the arrival of a top-division tall is set to bolster the club’s attack.

Former St Kilda utility Nathan Wright has signed at the Eastern league Division 1 outfit, crossing from top-flight Southern league club Chelsea Heights.

Wright played 35 matches for St Kilda across six years from 2013-2018 before linking with Chelsea Heights ahead of this season, playing 17 matches.

The 29-year-old reunites with former St Kilda names Brandon White and Darren Minchington at the Eagles.

Nathan Wright in action for St Kilda. Picture: AAP Image/David Mariuz

“The St Kilda connection obviously with ‘Whitey’ (Brandon White) and Darren Minchington helped us get him over the line,” Beaconsfield senior coach Mick Fogarty said.

“Having Nathan will add some midfield strength to our group so we’re rapt to have him.”

Key tall Charlie Muley has crossed from Premier Division club Berwick, after kicking 24 goals this season. He was also listed at Casey.

Fogarty said Muley’s addition would help offset the absence of Matt Johnson, who played most of the season in the state league.

“It’s exactly what we needed to fill that void – we’re absolutely rapt for Matty to play all but one game at Frankston this year,” Fogarty said.

“But to get Charlie in, deep forward and throws his weight around and can compete really hard and can bring the ball to the ground, we’re rapt.”

Charlie Muley in the ruck for Berwick. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Mackay Bateson (Monbulk), Brady Niezgodka (Noble Park) and Matt Orford (Pakenham) and returning under-19 premiership player Kade Lynch round out the signings.

Meanwhile, Jafar Ocaa is set to return from a long lay-off after suffering a broken leg late in the season.

He topped Beaconsfield’s goalkicking with 32 majors from 14 games in 2023.

“He’ll be right to start pre-season … he’s going well,” Fogarty said.

The Eagles finished the home-and-away season in fourth spot with a 10-8 record, before a first-week elimination final exit at the hands of North Ringwood.

Fogarty is confident his latest additions can help the club progress in its third season in the Eastern league.

“They’ll complement our young kids coming through – and we needed some experience, hence getting Wright and Muley and a couple of the other boys,” he said.

“The club’s worked really hard … we understand Division 1 and how competitive it is.”

Originally published as EFNL 2023: Ex-AFL Saint Nathan Wright, Berwick tall Charlie Muley sign at Beaconsfield