Hurstbridge announces Trevor Little as its new coach in the Northern Football League

DIVISION 2 premiers Hurstbridge has announced its new coach to guide it through its first season in Division 1 in more than a decade.

Division 2 premiers Hurstbridge have announced their new coach for 2017. Picture: Richard Serong

NEW Hurstbridge coach Trevor Little believes the club’s young list will “comfortably” make the transition to Division 1 next year.

Little takes over from premiership coaches Rob Dyson and Trevor Frost, who retired following the Division 2 premiership last month.

The Bridges will compete in the Northern Football League’s top division for the first time in 2017 since 2004.

Hurstbridge remains on the market for a ruckman following the retirements of premiership big man John Kreuzer and full back Tony Heron.

The Bridges have also lost Dales Eames, who has taken on a coaching position at Bakers Creeks in AFL Mackay in Queensland.

Little said the club wanted to secure some key position talent to compliment the group’s emerging talent.

Trevor Little in his Watsonia coaching days. Picture: Kylie Else

“Their talent is enormous, the kids they’ve got I believe they’ll take the next step comfortably,” Little said.

“From what I have seen and what I have heard, they’re certainly craving Division 1.

“I think they’re going to be up for the challenge, albeit, no doubt it will be a challenging year but I think if we can retain our players and get some key position players, like every club, we’ll certainly shake the competition.

“The club has been very active in speaking to players and now I have come on board we will continue that further because those early key signings will give the kids some confidence.”

The 38-year-old arrives at Ben Frilay Oval following a four-year stint as an assistant coach at Bundoora under Phil Plunkett, having previously coached Watsonia from 2006 to 2009.

“It has been a good grounding under Phil and I’ve been fortunate enough to work with a fantastic group but I look forward to beating that fantastic group,” he said.

“It is going to be a great challenge.”

While he had not been eyeing a Division 1 coaching position, Little said it was too good an opportunity to pass up.

“Hurstbridge ran me out of the blue but they don’t come around very often Division 1 coaching opportunities and what better to start with a young group than, as I say, has a massive challenge,” he said.

“The way they are going, and Whittlesea showed this year, that if you can get a group together you can certainly not just stay up, but play competitive football.”