Fitter, stronger talent ready to lift Greensborough back to NFNL Division 1 finals
31 for 31: After missing finals for the first time in a decade, Greensborough is looking to its developing young talent to lift the club back into the NFNL Division 1 top-five.
Northern
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Another summer of strength and fitness has Greensborough’s brigade of exciting young talents ready to reach new levels in 2024.
New Borough coach Matt Hyde has been impressed by his players’ development over the off-season.
The addition of premiership player Ricky Mullins as fitness coach and another year of natural progression has Hyde confident of a NFNL Division 1 finals challenge.
Greensborough’s decade-long finals streak came to an end last season, finishing sixth – just two points outside the top-five.
The club hopes its investment in youth will pay dividends this season.
“On Thursday nights we do a competition at the end to figure out if we do extras or finish – we kick at a goal post,” Hyde said.
“I said lets get the 10 oldest blokes and I think we got down to 25 or 26, so it means we’ve only got seven or eight over 26 in a senior list that goes about 70 deep.
“We’ve got some kids that already showed some incredible talent last year and with an extra year’s worth of body, size and pace and fitness I think they’re ready to move to another level.
“Ricky Mullins, who played in the last premiership, has come back as the fitness adviser – he runs his own marathon business on the side – and he’s put together the running program and we’ve come out in super condition.
“It’s been a methodical program going from getting the Ks in the legs and being super fit to working into agility, speed and strength work.”
Among the Borough’s young talent, ruckman Nathan Howard has stoodout after an injury-interrupted 2023.
“Nathan is a strong developing ruckman, he’s worked really hard on his fitness,” Hyde said.
“He’s good around the ground and in the middle, he’s going to be a weapon, he got injured last year so hopefully he can be fully fit and firing.
“To still have the likes of Will McFawn, Brody Glenn and Will O’Dwyer, who are all under-19s, have another year of senior footy will take them to a new level.”
After losing several players last season, Greensborough’s list has been stabilised this summer.
Rayden Garrard (Watsonia) is the only notable departure, while 2022 leading goalkicker Zac McCubbin (Port Melbourne Colts) and North Melbourne VFL-listed gun Tom O’Sullivan (Seymour) have come on board.
McCubbin has slotted back in seamless, while O’Sullivan has certainly caught the eye when at War Memorial Reserve.
“Zac is a Greensborough boy, so it’s nice to have him home,” Hyde said.
“He’s slotted in incredibly well, it’s different when you get someone new who takes time to get to know everybody, but he and his brother epitomises what Greensborough is.
“We’ve got a few boys who went to Assumption together, so that’s how Tom came across and he’s already got friendship groups at the club.
“He’s a super footballer and super athlete, he came back and won our 2km time trial so not only is he skilful and silky but super fit.”
Greensborough has already had two practice matches, against Whittlesea and Parkside, and will have a final hitout against Essendon District club Airport West.
Attention will then turn to the blockbuster Good Friday season-opener against Eltham at War Memorial Reserve.
Hyde and 2014 premiership teammate Tim Bongetti will face off from the sidelines for the first time.
DIV 3: RECRUITS “REJUVENATING” HEIDELBERG WEST
LEADER: GET YOUR NORTHERN FOOTY NEWS HERE
DIV 2: NO EXCUSES: SOUTH MORANG PRIMED FOR BIG YEAR
A huge crowd is expected.
“It’s nice to have it back, it’s a huge day for the club,” Hyde said.
“To do it against Eltham with Tim coaching and my brother-in-law is an assistant as well, with Hoops and my dad coached there obviously.
“There’s some good will and great connection on both sides but at the same time on match day, it will be on.”
Local footy wrap: Streaks survive and contenders emerge
The longest winning streak in local footy was given its biggest test, other contenders emerged, relegation battles were won and a milestone man delivered in perfect style. Catch-up on all of Saturday’s local footy action.
‘Danger game’: Ivanhoe puts one foot in finals
Kinglake threw everything at Ivanhoe but the Northern league newcomers kicked away late to secure a critical win that cements its top-five place.