Heidelberg coach Vinny Dattoli details reasons behind Heidelberg’s off-season recruiting
Already the reigning three-time NFNL Division 1 premier, Heidelberg is only getting stronger with several big-name recruits this off-season.
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“We have a finger on the pulse for today, tomorrow and for three years time.”
Heidelberg coach Vinny Dattoli says the club’s off-season recruiting spree is aimed at future proofing the club for years to come.
Already the three-time NFNL Division 1 reigning premier, the Tigers will be unbackable favourites to make it four on the trot in 2025.
Two-time premiership captain Sam Gilmore returns from a season – and flag – at Old Paradians, while premiership teammates Kai Kearns and Jesse Kane and Matt Cecchin are also back.
Ominously, Heidelberg has also secured three-time Mornington Peninsula premiership-winner Ethan Johnstone from Dromana, Carlton VFL-listed young gun Kristian Ferronato from arch-rival Greensborough and Geelong VFL-listed midfielder Marcus Herbert.
As yet, the Tigers have not lost anyone from their under-19, reserves and senior flag clean sweep.
Dattoli said it was important to stay ahead of the curve as rival clubs look for ways to stop the local footy juggernaut.
“You’ve got to keep regenerating, you can’t sit on your hands at any stage,” Dattoli said.
“We weigh up what we have internally and what we need to introduce to the environment.
“For me, it’s about having a staggered approach.
“Some of the guys, they’re not going to be available every week and the landscape of footy – with points and what-not – the guys that play VFL, over two or three years we reduce their points for the long-term.”
Ferronato played six VFL matches for Carlton this season and 15 for Greensborough, including best-on-ground performances in the club’s elimination final and semi-final wins.
Johnstone has previously won the Dromana best-and-fairest and earned MPFNL Team of the Year honours. He played 14 Division 1 games and kicked 33 goals this season as the Tigers missed out on back-to-back titles.
Herbert made 18 VFL appearances for Geelong this season, including the Cats’ two finals, and switches local clubs from Leopold.
Dattoli said there were a range of factors in bringing the trio across.
“I’ve known Kristian for a long time, I’ve been fortunate to work with him from a mentoring side and privately as well,” he said.
“He’s got a lot of guys he went to school with at Heidelberg as well.
“Kristian, first and foremost, his priority is Carlton VFL and we’ll work closely with Carlton in aligning his role when he comes back to Heidelberg.
“Ethan, I’m innocent there, the short version is he developed really good relationships with a few of the boys and they went overseas together.
“There were conversations to come to Heidelberg two years ago but made the decision to stay home and play down there, so it’s just come back around two years later to play with some of the guys.
“And Marcus is a beauty, he found his way to Heidelberg, he has a partner who lives in South Yarra and has a good relationship with (Heidelberg player) Darcy Edmends at Geelong.
“He’ll be a long-term prospect for us, he’s staying at Geelong and still has aspirations to play at the highest level.”
Meanwhile, Dattoli was rapt to bring Gilmore back after a season away.
The club great helped lead Old Paradians to the NFNL Division 3 premiership, while Kearns and Kane spent a year at Tooleybuc Manangatang and Cecchin three seasons in Queensland.
“It’s unbelievable, I was disappointed to have Sammy not part of it this year because he’s been a huge part of what’s gone on the last seven or eight years at the club,” Dattoli said.
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“I worked hard to not lose him last year and to have him back is huge.
“Kai, Matty and Jesse, equally, all Marcellin boys, all great mates and keep building the connection in our playing group.”
As well as Ferronato and Herbert, Heidelberg still has Jono Tomasiello (Coburg), Matt Signorello (Port Melbourne), Lachie Wilson (Richmond) and Darcy Edmends (Geelong) on VFL lists.
Young forward Jack Andrew is doing a pre-season at Coburg, while Matt McInerney is training with Port Melbourne.
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