EDFL 2021: Hillside star Hisham Kerbatieh chasing VFL chance

Charlie Denaro gives an update on Hillside’s list as one of the EDFL club’s star signings vies for another state league chance.

Hisham Kerbatieh in action for Avondale Heights in 2019. Picture: Jamie Morey

Hillside star Hisham Kerbatieh is vying for another chance at VFL level.

Kerbatieh has been training with re-born state league side Preston Bullants in recent weeks in the hope of securing another opportunity.

Content his VFL days were done, the dynamic forward/midfielder put pen to paper with the Essendon District Football League Division 1 outfit ahead of the 2020 season as a full-time player after crossing from Avondale Heights.

But recharged after a year off, Kerbatieh could split his time between the Sharks and Bullants in 2021, with a clearance submitted on Saturday.

He has previously taken the field for Coburg, Williamstown and Northern Blues in the VFL.

“I don’t believe they (Preston Bullants) have offered him a contract,” Hillside coach Charlie Denaro said.

“I don’t think he’ll be playing there every week, but hopefully he gets some VFL footy under his belt.

“He has really matured I feel over the last 12 months having worked with him and I think he just wants to give it one last crack.

“He’s enjoying his football, which is fantastic, and we’ve encouraged him to give it that one last shot. He’s 23 now, so he probably doesn’t have too many more chances left at that level.”

Kerbatieh has taken on a coaching role at the Sharks and is set to feature in their season opener against Taylors Lakes on Good Friday (April 2).

“Ideally we’d love him every week, but I hope he gets a crack at VFL football,” Denaro said.

Hillside is set to roll out a new-look line-up this season after several big names exited.

Lockie Rayner, Victor Micallef, Brandon Coletta, Joshua Klaromenos, Jack Burns (all East Keilor), Matthew Patane, Raafat Rachrache (both Roxburgh Park), Jackson Baillon (Bacchus Marsh) and Michael Ajaimy (Keilor) have departed since the end of 2019.

Lockie Rayner is one of several players to exit Hillside. Picture: Jamie Morey

But Keilor premiership player Zak Wunhym, Josh Trembearth, Corey Wright, Chris Samagalski, John Baker and Kerbatieh are notable inclusions, while Joel Bonnici and Rusiate Komaitai have returned to the club.

Denaro said he was also pleased to retain talented youngster Stephen Syme, who considered a move to Western Region league power Deer Park.

“We’re probably at the point now where we’ve stabilised our top 26 or 27,” Denaro said.

“But it’s hard. I still don’t know what our Round 1 side will be.

“There’s a few boys putting their hands up for those last three or four spots.”

The Sharks have lost their top four goalkickers from 2019 in Patane, Rachrache, Coletta and Micallef.

But the likes of Baker, Trembearth and Kerbatieh will bolster the attacking half.

“It’s probably the biggest headache for me at the moment, just trying to get that balance right,” Denaro said of his forward make up.

“We’ve got so many players who have just been starved of senior opportunities for the last three, four years, so these guys are going to get their chance.

“We think we’ve got a couple of kids who are ready to step up.

“I don’t think we’re going to have too many guys kicking 50 and 60 goals … I think we’re going to have a lot of guys chiming in with 20s and 25s.”

Denaro said Tristan Rudic, Jaksyn Grant and Jake Camilleri had been standouts on the training track.

The Sharks finished fifth two years ago, but Denaro noted the improvement in Division 1, with East Keilor, Westmeadows and Tullamarine the leading flag contenders.

“Internally, I’m always optimistic and always set the bar really high,” he said.

“What we’ve delivered in our first two hitouts against pretty good opposition, we’re pretty happy with how we’re going. We know it’s going to be a long journey, but we want to make sure we’re not just there to make up the numbers.

“We’ve got a few things we want to try and achieve this year.”