Teenager Jake Montagnese added to Essendon Royals squad

Young full-back Jake Montagnese is the latest addition to the Essendon Royals senior men’s squad.

The teenage defender arrives at the Royals having made his first senior appearances with Pascoe Vale during the 2021 season and is looking to garner further senior experience with the Royals during the 2022 State League 1 North-West campaign.

Montagnese is well known to senior coach Vitale Ferrante, and the youngster said when he knew of the opportunity at Royals it was an easy decision to make.

“I went to Pascoe Vale when I was 16 and when Vitale was there. Over the off-season, we had a discussion about coming here. I knew he was a good coach already so I was happy to come,” he said.

“The team is good. It’s a good bunch of lads and I don’t think the level within the squad is much different to what I experience in NPL2, so I’m excited to be here.”

Montagnese said it was a bonus for him to be playing with players who have experience at A-League and top-flight NPL levels.

“The older boys are helping me a lot. They’re helping me through the senior minutes, which can be hard to come by at my age in Australia,” he said.

“I want to be playing week in, week out and I’m working towards that.

“I just want to keep on going the way I’ve started in the friendlies.”

Montagnese has impressed in his senior minutes thus far during pre-season and the 19-year-old is hopeful that his performances will earn him a spot in the starting line-up when the competitive football begins.