Local footy: Gippsland recruits to bolster Hastings line-up in 2021
Hastings has picked up three Gippsland players but lost two senior regulars, including former Richmond player Todd Elton, as it prepares for MPNFL Division 2 in 2021.
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New Hastings coach Clint Einsiedel says three Gippsland players will add depth and X-factor to the Blues list in 2021.
“They’re just guys I coached up at Trafalgar,’’ he said.
“Whether they can make the grade, who knows?
“But I think some of them will.’’
Einsiedel chose not to name the three newcomers but said they had been locked in and would be handy players in the MPNFL.
“They’ve all played the higher league in Gippsland and been in and out of the senior teams there when they were younger,’’ he said.
“Hopefully with a bit more maturity and a bit more football behind them they should go alright.’’
Hastings has lost two senior regulars, including former Richmond player Todd Elton, who
has signed with Deer Park in the Western Region Football League.
He follows Brendan Fevola to the Lions.
Defender Chris Moloney has also departed Hastings, returning to Chelsea Heights, after three seasons with the Blues. Joel Williams has done the same.
The Hastings forward line next year will have a new look following the departures of Elton and Fevola.
Luke Hewitt, Ben King and Steven Robb will remain key figures, but there will be a new dynamic.
Einsiedel said while the Blues were on the hunt for a goal kicker, a readymade forward might be at the club already.
“We’ve probably had a backline that’s been loaded with players that can play forward as well, so we’ll just look at shuffling the team around a little bit,’’ he said.
“We’re obviously on the hunt for a forward. We do need to get hold of someone to kick us some goals.’’
Einsiedel said one of the Gippsland recruits was capable of filling a forward role.
“If he gets himself right I think he will be handy for us,’’ he said.
Hastings’ under-19s have already secured more than 20 players for next season.
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