It’s a huge coup for the Towners, with the former AFL player set to add an explosive forward option to a team hoping to return to finals after winning just three games in 2019.
Growing up and now living in Benalla, Mellington, 27, has become something of a phenom on the country football scene, kicking 100-plus goals a season across three leagues.
From kicking 111 goals to help the Saints claim their drought-breaking Goulburn Valley League premiership in 2015, before adding another ton to his name at Albury in the Ovens and Murray in 2016, Mellington comes to Violet Town fresh off another triple-figure feat at Echuca United in 2019.
He now has the chance to conquer a fourth league with his KDL rivals sure to be left scratching their heads trying to find a way to foil to Mellington’s forward abilities.
Senior coach Joel Price, who will also have his first chance to impress after COVID-19 washed out his maiden season in charge, said Mellington’s signature was a “great get” for the club.
“He’s a very credentialed player, but more importantly, he’s a former junior, so that played a big part in him signing with the club,” Price said.
“He’s always had ambition to come back to Violet Town and play senior football. The opportunity came up and it all sort of aligned.
“We’re rapt to have him.”
Mellington’s former connection to the club ultimately came in handy in signing the forward this year, with current players crucial in opening the lines of communication.
“Having half a dozen of his under-18 premiership mates still playing with the club played a big role in getting him here,” Price said.
“Josh spoke to a number of them and mentioned he was keen.
“The conversations started from there. The club was certainly aware of his ambitions to eventually come back, but after the year off due to COVID, it just aligned and worked for both parties.”
The home-town connection also bodes well for the club when its come to juggling its player points next year, with Mellington carrying just one point due to his junior playing days with the club.
With Mellington slotting into the line up, the Towners now boast two former AFL players, with Price confirming former Lion and Suns utility Jared Brennan will also continue with the club after signing at the beginning of the failed 2020 season.
“To have two guys with AFL experience is huge and will no doubt help our younger guys,” Price said.
The rest of Violet Town’s list continues to shape up nicely ahead of the upcoming season, with all the club's 2019 list playing on and many of its 2020 recruits also recommitting — including ex-locals Harry Sleigh and Pete McKay.
Though Price said it had been difficult to plan for another season amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the past week had seen a number of key pieces click into place.
“It has been difficult. If you asked me a month ago, it was really hard. Players weren’t that interested in talking about next year, but over the last week, with the weather picking up, people are starting to get excited again,” he said.
“All we can do is be positive and prepare well so we can be really competitive next year.”
More local sport
Dookie College's perfect season remembered
Alou Kuol claims more silverware
More cricket umpires needed
