MPNFL clubs keen to play more practice matches ahead of 2021 season

Practice matches will be crucial as local football returns in 2021, with some MPNFL clubs planning a month of scratch matches. And Hastings signs more recruits.

Sean Holmes takes a kick for Red Hill against Somerville in MPNFL Division 2 in 2019. Picture: David Crosling

MPNFL coaches say practice matches will take on extra significance in the coming months as players look to blow out cobwebs ahead of the much-anticipated 2021 season.

Some clubs are planning to play up to four practice games to bring players “back up to speed’’ after a long lay off.

When the ball is bounced to begin the season in late March, it will be 18 months between games for most clubs after COVID-19 wiped out the 2020 season.

With training resuming this week or next, club officials are busily organising practice matches.

“I think most sides will be looking to play three to four (practice) games to bring us back up to speed,” Hastings coach Clint Einsiedel said.

Former Springvale District coach Clint Einsiedel will steer Hastings in 2021.

Somerville coach Brad Canavan said after so long without football he felt nervous and excited ahead of a return to training on Monday.

He said practice games would form a crucial part of preparation in a short, sharp pre-season.

“Teams will have to go a bit earlier this year because it’s an April 3 start,” he said.

Meanwhile, Hastings has made two more key signings as it continues to put together a strong list.

Heath Nash, a 24-year-old hard inside midfielder, has come across from Moyhu in the Ovens and King League after playing for the Wangaratta Magpies in his junior days.

Heath is the son of former Hastings hard nut Kevin Nash who played 79 seniors games between 1989-1993.

Somerville coach Brad Canavan revs up his players in 2019. Picture: David Crosling

Dylan Wilson, 25, is also an inside midfielder, who played at Wangaratta Magpies and Murray Bushrangers, as well as a stint with Karratha Kats in Western Australia.

Dylan is the son of Hastings gun Gary Wilson who played 189 seniors games between 1980-1994.

“They moved to Melbourne and wanted to come down and play. It’s really good.’’ Einsiedel said.

Einsiedel said Hastings’ list was taking shape nicely but the Blues were still on the look out for a tall ruck-forward.

“We’d probably just like a tall, a ruck forward type. They are pretty hard to find,’’ he said.

“Apart from that we’re pretty happy with what we’ve got and are looking to move forward now, start training and seeing where we are at.”