EFL: Croydon star Bailey Hotker expected to return to Vermont
Croydon is expected to be without one of its best players in 2020 as Bailey Hotker prepares to leave the EFL Division 1 club.
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Croydon is bracing to be without star midfielder Bailey Hotker in 2020 as he prepares for a return to junior club Vermont.
Hotker had signed at Croydon Park for next year but is expected to return to the Eagles.
He had played 39 games for the Blues over the past two years and received Team of the Year honours in both seasons, playing a key role in guiding the club to September’s Division 1 grand final.
Hotker also claimed Croydon’s best and fairest in 2018.
A clearance is yet to be lodged.
Croydon coach Morris D’Alessandro said Hotker wanted to test himself in the Eastern league’s top flight.
“Obviously being a Vermont junior, he wants to go back to his old club,” D’Alessandro said.
“That’s what he’s thinking at the moment but he’s obviously a pretty important part of our football club as well.”
Croydon and Hotker, who has established himself as one of the second-tier’s best young players, have been in talks in recent weeks about his future.
He won multiple best and fairests from juniors, under-19s and reserves at Vermont but was starved of senior opportunity prior to his move to Croydon.
Vermont has won the past two premierships with a star-studded team and Hotker would have to fight for his place in the senior side, which had 16 former state league or ex-AFL players in this year’s grand final team.
“We’re just trying to work out what’s best for Bailey. That’s probably the bottom line,” D’Alessandro said.
“He’s an outstanding player.
“If we lost him, we’d be able to replace him in some way. Our juniors are coming through and we’ve got some really good young people there.
“We’d be disappointed if we lost Bailey but I’m pretty sure we could cover for him.”
Vermont coach Harmit Singh said the competition powerhouse would welcome Hotker back to Terrara Rd.
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“As it stands, Bailey is a contracted player with Croydon and we have to respect that,” Singh said.
“We’d love to have him back at the football club and feel he can add a lot to our group.
“I think Bailey at some stage would have always liked to come back to Vermont. He’s played some really good footy at Croydon and they’ve been successful over that period.
“I think the clubs will sit down and have a chat and we’ll go from there.”
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