EFNL 2021: Brayden Kilpatrick, Dale Walker commit to South Croydon for 2022

A VFL premiership Hawk has committed full-time and a club favourite has returned. But a great has hung up the boots.

Locked in: VFL premiership Hawk Brayden Kilpatrick has called time on his VFL career and will play full-time with South Croydon next year. Picture: Box Hill Hawks FC

It’s been a big week at South Croydon with some major inclusions – but a club great is set to hang up the boots.

The Eastern league Premier Division club has welcomed back premiership defender Dale Walker, after a season as a playing-assistant at East Ringwood.

He’s joined by Box Hill VFL midfielder Brayden Kilpatrick, who has committed to the club full-time for 2022 after calling time on a state league career which spanned six years and 68 games, taking in a premiership with the Hawks in 2018.

Kilpatrick has played a handful of games with the Bulldogs, having been aligned to the club since 2016 after moving from Sydney. He played two matches this season where he was named among the best on both occasions, to go with seven VFL matches this year where he featured in the best five times.

He retires from VFL level as the last remaining Box Hill-listed player of the club’s ‘18 flag side.

South Croydon coach Marcus Buzaglo said the pair would provide a big lift next season, adding a wealth of leadership to the group.

Walker has featured in five premiership sides, including Box Hill’s reserves flags in 2009 and 2010, followed by triumphs with NEAFL club Ainsley in 2011, Wagga Wagga in 2016 and South Croydon in the EFL’s top division in 2017.

Dale Walker has returned to South Croydon. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Buzaglo said Walker’s return would help boost the development of the club’s young defenders.

“He’s got a lot of really close mates at South Croydon … he just decided in the last couple of years of his career he just wanted to spend it with his mates – he’s a popular member of the club and we’re happy to have him back,” Buzaglo said.

“Another really good reason for him to come back is to help and assist guys like Nick McDonald, Kyle Phelan coming through. He’ll be hugely beneficial to their progress.

“He’ll be a leader of our back six … he’ll probably play as a third tall or play on the big key forwards – there’ll be no problems with him fitting back in.”

But star veteran Stephen Dinnell is set to retire after a distinguished career, which included a premiership with the Eastern Ranges in 2002 (adjudged best on ground), two flags with North Ballarat in the VFL and South Croydon’s top-flight flag in 2017.

Steve Dinnell takes a strong mark.

His association with South Croydon spans around 30 years, having played his junior football at the club.

“He probably struggled a little bit body-wise with the stop-start nature of this year – but I think it was always going to be his last year,” Buzaglo said.

“It’s a bit disappointing how it (Dinnell’s career) has ended and he didn’t get the send-off he should have had … (but) he’s had an amazing career. He’ll still be around the place and hopefully we’ll find a role for him.”

Buzaglo said the club would look to bolster its midfield depth and outside leg-speed in the lead-up to 2022.

The Bulldogs posted a 6-4 record this season to finish in fifth position.