EDFL 2018:Brad Murphy to boost Hadfield’s forward line for 2019

The addition of Brad Murphy will add much-needed potency to Hadfield’s attacking half as the Essendon District Football League club looks to build on an encouraging finish to the season.

Brad Murphy during his days at Melton. Pictures Angie Basdekis

THE addition of Brad Murphy will add much-needed potency to Hadfield’s attacking half as the Essendon District Football League club looks to build on an encouraging finish to the season.

While the Hawks have only won three games since claiming the 2015 Division 2 premiership, the former Western Bulldogs player brings invaluable experience to Martin Reserve.

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Murphy, who has had stints with Werribee, Hoppers Crossing, Melton and St Albans, is set be limited to about 10 games because of his role as an assistant coach with Calder Cannons.

Where the 33-year-old plays will depend on his fitness, but Hadfield coach Brett Pitts forecast a role in the forward line for his close friend.

“It will be massive for our club to get someone of his experience,” Pitts said.

“Obviously he played at the top level and played some great local footy as well and is a good person for me as a new coach to have around as well as a wise head.

“Last year, forward of centre, we really struggled.

“We were in a lot of games and would do a lot of hard work through the middle of the ground. Our ruckman, Brandon Smith, had a fantastic year … then we’d get it forward and it would come out as quick as it went in.

“Having Brad down there will be fairly important, but we also think Brad can play a bit of a role through the middle of the ground as well. We know he played most of his better football through the midfield.”

Heath McKerchar has also returned to the Hawks after a stint at Wallan. Harley Ferguson and Smith filled the top-two spots in the best and fairest, with the club retaining all its key players for 2019 in a significant boost.

Harley Ferguson claimed Hadfield’s best and fairest this year. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Pitts, who played over 400 games at Hadfield, said his new-look group took time to jell in his first year at the helm, but he is confident it is on the right track after a challenging period.

“Obviously we were a fair way off the mark early in the year and weren’t fit enough. We had a handful of boys who did a limited pre-season, so we started the year off a fair way behind,” he said.

“But as the season went on, we really unearthed some good, young kids. I felt like our footy became better and we started to compete for longer.

“We had some really encouraging results, but I think the focus for us next year is driving higher standards when it comes to training, fitness. We’ll put some things in place to hopefully improve those and I’ve got no doubt we’ll hit the ground running a lot better than what we did last year.”