EDFL: Inside Hillside’s targeted recruiting

Hillside has been busy this off-season with several big arrivals. Coach Chris Daley reveals why he targeted those players and why an off-field signing could be as beneficial.

Robbie Castello is one of the key recruits. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Hillside’s off-season recruiting drive has had a simple theme.

The Sharks have wanted to add experience to help compliment one of the most exciting young lists in Division 1 of the EDFL.

With an average age of around 23, new coach Chris Daley wanted to add on-field leaders to his playing group as he prepares to replace Charlie Denaro for the 2024 season.

First it was former VFL star Robbie Castello who joined from rival Keilor Park as an assistant coach with Jake Gatto, a player with over 200 games of EDFL senior experience, soon following.

The Sharks then upped the ante when the Caruso brothers, Fort and Nat, made the move from Greenvale.

The arrival of Damien Cavka, the former West Coast Eagle, soon became the latest big blow in the recruiting stakes.

“These experienced guys are exactly what we were looking for,” Daley said.

“Basically the entire list from 2023 has signed on so that says a lot about where the direction the club is heading in. We think we have a good age bracket to continue pushing up the ladder.

“We want to push towards Premier Division with a younger group who are hitting their peak if they get there. You don’t want a bunch of 30-year-olds where you’re not sure how long they can compete at that level for. We worked on the Caruso boys for a while so it was good to get them across.

“With the guys we’ve brought in, we’re going to be able to teach the younger guys a lot.”

Fortunato Caruso has joined from Greenvale. Picture: Hamish Blair

While the on-field recruits have been impressive, Daley believes the appointment of Mo Kaakour as one of his assistants will reap enormous benefits for the playing group.

Kaakour, who previously coached Westmeadows and spent time with Richmond’s VFL program, has a strong history of developing you players according to Daley.

“He’s full of knowledge,” he said.

“Having him on board is going to be a very big thing for our group.”

Hillside reached the second week of finals in season 2023, eventually being knocked out by Rupertswood.

Now Daley is hopeful of further progression.

“Everyone says we want to play finals, that’s obvious, but the bottom line is we want to improve,” he said.

“It’s going to be another tight competition so it’s not just going to happen. The door isn’t shut on our recruiting but we’ve already had to turn some people away because of the money they’re asking.

“When you sign the type of players we have, it’s going to create a little bit of interest.”