By LIAM TWOMEY
GLENORDEN looks certain to be a major threat, come the business end of next year’s Western Region Football League season after a massive recruiting coup.
The club has signed former Geelong footballers Cameron Mooney and Kent Kingsley to the playing list for the 2013 season.
Mooney, 32, was a two-time premiership player with the Cats while also playing in the North Melbourne 1999 premiership.
He played a total of 221 games across his career and kicked 297 goals.
Kingsley also split his time between the Roos and Cats while rounding out his 125-game career with a stint at Richmond. He finished with 239 goals and was Geelong’s leading goal scorer in four consecutive seasons.
The deal came about through Glenorden player Louis Elevato, who is a close friend of Mooney.
The former Cat said he was looking forward to getting out and having a kick.
“I’ve been friends with the Elevato family a long time and Louie gave me a call seeing if I was interested in playing,” Mooney said.
“He explained the things going on down at his club and the direction the club seems to be going in and it sounded like a good place to go down to have a kick.
“I am excited to spend time in a footy club environment, and having my close mate in Kent alongside me was enough for me, Louie and Kent to get together and come up with the idea…but the Hawks jumpers weren’t mentioned until I agreed to sign I just want to add.”
Mooney said he was hoping to have a positive influence on the club both on and off the field and would be looking to play as many games as possible once he had been through the WRFL fixture and his media commitments.
Kingsley was also looking forward to pulling on the Hawks jumper after hearing about the hard work the club had done to improve in recent times.
“I spent a bit of time finding out about the club and how it was in a bad way not too long ago and the group of people that went to Glenorden on a mission to turn it around and in just a few months the progress they have made,” he said.
“I hope they don’t expect too much of me as I am ageing by the minute, but I am in better shape than Moons that’s for sure.
“I am going to see if I can recruit a few other mates as I am really on board in having a lot of fun next year.”
The signings couldn’t have come at a better time for Glenorden after a disappointing year in the WRFL’s second division.
The Hawks finished the home and away season in fifth spot on the ladder with an 8-7 win/loss record.
They were then defeated in the first round of the finals by Coburg Districts.
Glenorden president Ken Parker said the big names would be great for the club.
Already one major sponsor has come on board for next season on the back of the signings.
“It is obviously going to be good for us sponsorship wise and interest wise,” Parker said.
“We are always trying to generate interest down there and obviously we are always trying to build the club up. To have a couple of high profile players is going to help us a great deal.”