Brendan Fevola to play for Hastings in 2019

HE’S made his mark playing and coaching at footy clubs in Melbourne’s west since retiring from AFL, but gun forward Brendan Fevola will have a new home next season by the seaside.

HASTINGS is about to undergo a Fevolution.

The Western Port town is abuzz with excitement after former Carlton and Brisbane champion Brendan Fevola signed to play with the Hastings Blues in the MPNFL for season 2019.

He put pen to paper on Thursday afternoon, sending the local footy scene into a frenzy of excitement.

With rumours he was keen to play again after achilles surgery sidelined him this season, Hastings swooped.

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“It all happened pretty quickly to be honest,” Hastings coach Ricky Ferraro said on Thursday.

“There were rumours he was going to Somerville. A few of our people obviously knew that and thought, ‘oh well, let’s give him a call and see what we can do’.”

Fevola in action for Coolangatta on the Gold Coast. Picture: Richard Gosling

Fevola met with Ferraro on Thursday afternoon, put on a Hastings jumper, shook hands and signed a one-year contract.

“He’s keen. It’s not just a cameo game, he’s with us full-time,” Ferraro said.

“He’s got to miss a few games here and there with his work commitments and obviously with The Footy Show and that sort of stuff but I asked him if he was keen and he’s actually got that excitement about playing footy again after having a year off.

Fevola runs out as playing coach for Melton South last year. Picture: Alex Coppel

“It’s going to be good to bring back some excitement to the footy club.”

News of the Hastings Fevolution sent the club’s Facebook page into meltdown, with hundreds of positive comments from people excited by the prospect of watching Fev in action next season.

It’s going to be a massive season and, who knows, it could translate into success for the Blues.

Fev won a grand final playing for Deer Park. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“We all know how good he can be,” Ferraro said. “He was looking fit.”

Ferraro had never met Fevola until Thursday and was impressed by his down-to-earth personality.

“You know it’s funny though, mate, he’s just a fella,” he said.

“He’s just a bloke. He says he loves his footy so it’s exciting.

“We really promote being a family club with all the netballers and the women’s football … he’s obviously got three daughters and (wife) Alex and he’s got a fourth daughter on the way in November so for him to come here is really exciting for everyone.

Brendan Fevola with his girls, Mia (17), Lulu (7) and Leni (10). Picture: Jay Town

“It’s been a tough year for us on field and off field so it’s great to get some excitement.”

When he runs out for Hastings, Fevola will be following in the boot prints of arguably the greatest full-forward in history, John Coleman.

The club also was home to four-time AFL premiership player Martin Pike in the 2000s.