Country footy: Ex-Hawthorn defender Michael Hartley joins Seymour in GVL

Goulburn Valley league clubs have continued to land big blows in the recruiting stakes with a premiership contender signing an ex-AFL defender.

Michael Hartley will link up with Seymour next season. Picture: Steve Tanner

Seymour has given itself a major boost in a pursuit of the Goulburn Valley league premiership with a signing of a former AFL defender.

Michael Hartley, 28, has joined the Lions for the 2022 season where he is expected to play at least six games, enough to qualify him for a potential finals series.

The former Essendon and Hawthorn defender has chosen Seymour as his home club as he also prepares to continue his time in the VFL with Collingwood.

Hartley is keen to develop his coaching skill and will also take on a part-time role with the Pies’ AFLW program.

Seymour coach Ben Davey said Hartley’s signing was a major boost in an already promising off-season for his side.

“We’re getting a terrific footballer and an even better person,” he said.

“It’s not everyday you get someone straight out of the AFL system come into your club and I think a lot of our guys are going to learn a lot from him.

“He made it clear to us he wants to be spending as much time as possible with our group. If he is to play VFL on a Sunday, he will be at our game on Saturday helping out on the bench.

“I’m excited to see what he is going to bring to the club.”

Hartley will be the second ex-AFL footballer to pull on the Lions’ colours in as many seasons after Alex Rance made a one-off appearance earlier this year.

Like the Richmond premiership defender, Hartley has connections to the club in Ben Clifton and Nick Dundon who he has previously played with at VFL level for Coburg.

“Michael has trained with us before and been to some social functions so there’s no doubt he fits in with our group,” Davey said.

“All of our new guys we’ve recruited to the club in the past two years have had a previous connection and Michael is no different.

“He fits in with our age group and is exactly the type of person we want to add to our club.”

Davey said he expects to see Hartley play down back for most of his time with the club but said his “extreme flexibility” could see him used across the ground.

[e-mail]