Fitzroy Stars get massive boost on eve of season with return of VFL, WAFL talent
Fitzroy Stars’ hopes of bouncing straight back up from NFNL Division 3 have received a massive boost with the return of a VFL and WAFL talent.
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Fitzroy Stars have received a massive boost on the eve of the NFNL Division 3 season.
Hedley Smith lodged a clearance to return to Sir Doug Nicholls Oval on Good Friday.
Smith made his VFL debut with Coburg while with the Stars in 2019 before moving to VAFA club Old Scotch and joining Sandringham for 2021.
He returned to his home state, Western Australia, last season and earning a spot on Perth’s WAFL list, playing two reserves games.
Smith will add to a dangerous Stars squad, looking to atone for last season’s winless campaign that saw them relegated for the first time.
Coach Lionel Proctor was excited to see what the 27-year-old could do.
“It’s really exciting to get him back on board,” Proctor said.
“He’s full of energy, Hedley, and he’s been really good around the group.
“He’s played a couple of our praccy matches and been really good.
“He moved back over to WA last year but now he’s back in Melbourne and has been down during the pre-season, he’s a really experienced player.”
Proctor said Hedley would most likely be used as a forward but could push higher up the ground to make use of his speed and skill.
“Headley’s really good around goals, so probably half-forward – maybe float up to the wing,” Proctor said.
“He’s really dangerous around goal, really smart and a good user of his body so we definitely want him close to goal.”
Despite the loss of leading goalkicking Riley Livingstone to Panton Hill, Fitzroy Stars’ forward line looms as one of the most potent in the competition.
Smith adds to the firepower of Michael Graham, Raman Wanganeen, Taj Proctor, Corey Wanganeen and Kyle Thomas.
The Stars have also added vital experience, luring back Jai Burns and Peter Hood from Bundoora, Jungala Ellis (Ardmona, Kyabram District), Grahram (Sandgate, Qld), Allan Norris (Yallorn, North Gippsland), Rex Taylor, Corey Wanganeen (both Girgarre, Murray) and Anthony Walker (Tallygaroopna, Kyabram District).
Richmond premiership star Marlion Pickett’s brother Tyson has also arrived from WA.
Proctor said the mix of experience and youth would hold the club in good stead.
“The regulars, the Peter Hoods, Burnsy, Alboy (Norris) (have impressed),” Proctor said.
“The veterans have been really good, like Corey Thorpe, guys like that have been really impressive with their leadership, helping the young guys out.
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“Who has been really good is Raman Winmar, he and my boy Taj, they’re going to dangerous small forwards with the skill and speed and pressure.”
James Dau will captain the club for a second year, while Jungala Ellis and Kyle Thomas has been named vice-captains.
The Stars kick off the season at Sir Doug Nicholls Oval against Lalor, which was also winless last season.
The club then plays a standalone Friday night game at Heidelberg West.
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