Inverleigh Hawks recruiting for premierships after devastating grand final loss

Inverleigh coach Adam Donohue says he is eager to continue adding to the Hawks’ list after suffering a devastating grand final loss in 2022, with a handful of new recruits announced.

Jack Spokes, Thomson and Mitch Elford, Inverleigh. GDFL grand final: Inverleigh v Thomson. Picture: Peter Ristevski

Inverleigh coach Adam Donohue says he is eager to continue adding to the Hawks’ list after suffering a devastating grand final loss in 2022.

The Hawks fell short of premiership glory against Bannockburn, but with almost every player committed to returning next season, Donohue expects his side to challenge again.

He said his attitude around recruiting players might have been different if Inverleigh had won the flag.

“It’s funny, I think if we had won we wouldn’t be chasing recruits nearly as much,” he said.

“I saw Bannockburn is pretty content with their list and how it’s structured, and I feel like we would’ve been pretty similar.

Peter Plummer will return to Inverleigh in 2022. Picture: Mark Wilson

“If we had won I think we would’ve had a few retirements, because local footy is difficult to commit to, it can be really challenging after a long, hard day at work.

“Redemption isn’t the right word because we can’t get back the loss, but I watched back the game and I was fired up because we didn’t play well, and you never want to lose a grand final.”

Bannockburn has announced Ron Pilgrim as the sole coach next season, and said the Tigers did not want to ‘rock the cart’ with an influx of player signings.

Meanwhile, Inverleigh has announced a raft of signings, with forward Mitch Bartlett (Bannockburn), Lewis Delorenzo (Colac), Brayden Warren (Queenscliff) and Josh Pethybridge (Golden Square) joining the club, while Peter Plummer and Mitch Elford will return to the Hawks’ senior side in 2023.

Football BFL: Ocean Grove v Queenscliff.Queenscliff 29 Brayden Warren kicks a goal Picture: Mark Wilson

“Brayden is a really great link-up player, it’s a really important role on St Albans’ ground, and that’s what we’re aiming for at the end of the year,” he said.

“We didn’t really have that position filled except for Casey Meehan, but he’ll likely play in a different role next year.

“Plummer is obviously returning from a knee injury in 2019 and hasn’t played since then, while Mitch hasn’t really played since 2019 either.

“Mitch came back to play in the reserves last year, he didn’t do much preseason work but he’s committed to having a crack next year and playing seniors.”

Originally published as Inverleigh Hawks recruiting for premierships after devastating grand final loss