MPFNL Division 2: Hastings emerges stronger from upheaval

From training on tiny ovals to a change of leadership, the Blues have done it tough this season but coach Brendan Dunne says green shoots are sprouting. Here’s why.

Hastings captain Jake Hewitt (middle) celebrates his 150th game with brothers Luke (left) and Sean. Picture: Facebook

Hastings has been through the wringer this season.

Unable to train at their home ground because of a lack of lights, the Blues have had to prepare for matches on tiny ovals around the peninsula.

All of which made Saturday’s win over Karingal immensely satisfying for coach Brendan Dunne.

“The boys deserve to have a win because they’ve been putting up with so much this year,” Dunne, who took over as caretaker coach after Gav Artico stepped down in May.

“It’s building a culture of mateship.”

Hastings kept Karingal goalless after halftime while kicking five goals of its own to power clear to secure its second win of the season, 10.18 (78) to 7.10 (52).

It was the perfect way to celebrate captain Jake Hewitt’s 150th game. His brothers Luke and Sean played alongside him in his milestone match.

Brad Kovac takes a mark. Picture: Doug Farr

Nic Xerri on the burst... Picture: Doug Farr

The Blues youngsters again led the way, with teenage star Kade Foster capping a best-on-ground performance with four goals (all in the second half) and high-leaping ruckman Wesley Rietveld playing an exceptional game in only his 18th senior appearance.

Brad Kovac, Tom Finn and Louis Connard, who slotted a goal, also impressed.

“The boys played really well especially after halftime,” Dunne said.

“The boys kicked 4.11 in the third quarter. We started playing some really good footy.

“We’ve just tried to build on our competitiveness, we’ve been working on a few things, threw the magnets around at halftime to change a few things and it all seemed to work.”

Hastings has been training at Graydens Rd (a cricket oval) for most of the season while new lights have been installed at Barclay Oval.

Last Thursday the Blues were told there was a further delay to the lights being ready and training was shifted to another venue, Somers cricket ground.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,’’ Dunne said.

“We’ve been at Graydens Rd for six weeks and then we got told we have to start sharing it with other footy clubs.

“And they’re tiny ovals so it’s hard to do match sim…you kick out from full back and you’re at centre half forward. You can only work on in-tight stuff.’’

Dunne, a former Karingal player and coach, said he sought out Bulls coach Luke Forsyth before the match on Saturday.

Forsyth was informed last week by the club that it would be advertising the position for next season.

“I just gave Luke a big hug and asked him if he was alright,’’ Dunne said.

“They seemed like they were all up and about and up for the contest. Obviously I have a lot of love for that footy club.’’

Hastings players after their win over Bonbeach last month. Picture: Facebook

Dunne, meanwhile, said he was undecided if he would put his hand up to coach Hastings next season.

“I’ll think about it but I’m just going to go to the end of the year,’’ he said.

“I’m pretty busy with work. We’ll just coach until the end of the year and see what happens.’’

Dunne said there were plenty of “green shoots’’ at Hastings, with a raft of talented young players emerging.

“They’ve got some great kids down there,’’ he said.

“The biggest thing for us is trying to get some depth in the list. At the moment we’ve got young kids and then we’ve got 34 year olds, so we need to go out and find a fair few guys between that 22 and 26 mark to really help the kids.

“But really positive signs if they stick together.’’

Hastings faces Crib Point in a local derby next weekend before facing Rye and Somerville in the last two rounds.