By Marcus Uhe
Wandin have secured the services of Joel Garner for the remainder of the Outer East Football Netball League season in a huge boost for its premiership chances.
The former Port Adelaide midfielder had split his time between the Bulldogs as his local club and Footscray’s VFL program this season, but he has chosen to step away from the Footscray program to help his local side attempt to win its first senior premiership since 2018.
Garner played a starring role in Saturday’s win over Pakenham at Toomuc Reserve as a goalkicking midfielder.
He needs just one more appearance for Nick Adam’s side to qualify for Wandin’s finals campaign, having played three times already this season.
Fortuitously for Wandin, had he played two more matches for Footscray, he would have been ineligible under league rules to represent Wandin in September.
Against Gembrook Cockatoo in round nine, he amassed 46 disposals and kicked seven goals in a dominant display.
Adam was thrilled to add another weapon to his already burgeoning midfield arsenal.
“His family and Joel are important parts of this football club, and we’re really proud of the fact that he wants to come back and be a part of who we are,” Adam said.
“He’s grown up with half the side, the football club has followed his journey and he’s always had a real desire to be a part of Wandin in any way, shape or form. He came back from Adelaide when he was there, and when we were playing on the weekend, he was there watching footy.
“We’re really aware that he’s the best player in the competition, I reckon. He makes us better, and he’s a really good person too.”
Garner played his junior football at Wandin Junior Football Club and his brother, Todd, has starred for the Bulldogs in the last two seasons.
His ability to complement the current midfield brigade adds another string to Adam’s bow.
“When we play Narre Warren, he can body-up in the contest and we feel like that balances us out a little bit better,” Adam said.
“Pat (Bruzzese), Cody (Hirst), Connor (Smith), they win their own footy, but they’re probably that inside-outside midfielder, whereas Joel is someone who can go to work and get hungry on the inside.”
