EFNL 2023: Templestowe boosts speed, attack with latest additions

The Dockers contested a preliminary final in Eastern’s Division 2 this season – but fell to Heathmont by 13 points.

Nick Bird has arrived at Porter St following the past four seasons at Premier outfit Balwyn, where he played in across multiple positions, including wing, half-forward and half-back. He’s also played basketball at college and academy level in North America.

The Dockers have also secured forward Yianni Kazakis from Doncaster East, where he topped the club’s reserves goalkicking this season in the league’s top-flight following the under-19.5 crown in 2022.

Both recruits arrive in search of more senior opportunities next season.

Batsanis said Bird’s addition addressed a lack of pace on the outside.

“We got pretty lucky with Nick Bird, to tell you the truth – he’s good friends with the Giovannini brothers and we pitched to him where we’re at – we needed speed on the outside, I think that’s the weakness Templestowe’s had,” he said.

“Nick will play the wing, half-forward role and really give us that drive that we need.”

Kazakis kicked 22 goals from 15 reserve-grade matches this season following 42 majors from 18 appearances in the Premier Division under-19.5 competition in 2022.

“Yianni came to us and just wants to play senior footy – he found it pretty hard to break into the Donny East side in Premier because obviously they’re very strong,” Batsanis said.

“If he’s got aspirations to go bigger and better in the next couple of years, then the door’s always going to be open for him to do that as well.”

The young spearhead could soon be joined by more firepower, as the Dockers look to shore-up their attack following the retirement of Cameron Cloke, while veteran forward Dean Limbach’s future is unclear.

Adding further pace is also on the agenda as Batsanis looks to bridge the gap on the club’s Division 2 rivals.

“We’re going pretty hard at key forwards … we’ve got a need to fill that forward line with two bigs,” Batsanis said.

“And it’s really just speed we’re looking for – we’ve got a really good inside game and a contested style, but I want to try and teach a game plan around utilising the outside.

“We’ve got some good ones in the works and hopefully we’ll sign a few more.”

The two-time Doncaster East premiership captain stopped short of declaring his retirement.

“I’m not saying that I’m retired – I might get the bug and play at some stage,” Batsanis said.

Originally published as EFNL 2023: Templestowe boosts speed, attack with latest additions