Heidelberg welcomes back a flag hero for 2023 premiership defence

The Koutoufides name is back in the Northern Football Netball League with Heidelberg signing a son of a gun and welcoming back a flag hero.

Carlton great Anthony Koutoufides with son, Jamie and daughter Monique. Picture: Mark Stewart

The Koutoufides name is returning to the Northern Football Netball League.

AFL Hall of Famer Anthony came through the ranks at Lalor and now his son, Jamie, is returning to the game with reigning Division 1 premier Heidelberg.

In a major boost to their flag defence, the Tigers have also welcomed back 2016 premiership player and 2017 best-and-fairest winner Tom Sullivan.

Sullivan returns after two seasons with Tatura in the Goulburn Valley league, winning a club champion award in 2021.

Koutoufides has focused on basketball for the last four years, enjoying an impressive individual season for Coburg in the Big V Division 1 competition last year.

Jamie Koutoufides with mum, Susie. Picture: Rosanna Faraci

He lead the team and ranked 16th overall in points per game, shooting at 49.2 per cent from the field, led the club in rebounds and ranked fourth in steals.

Returning to the game after several seasons out, Koutoufides will be given time to adjust but Heidelberg coach Vinny Dattoli saw plenty of promise.

“He’s been out of footy for four or five (years) but he’s training exceptional hard and it will be interesting to see how he tracks in the practice matches with his game sense and footy IQ,” Dattoli said.

“He’s doing some good stuff on the track but obviously that’s got to be replicated in a game.

“Basketball has dominated his junior development but, as we all know, (footy) is in his DNA.

“He’ll play in the practice matches but I don’t know if it will be in the seniors.

Tynan Smith and Tom Sullivan clash. Picture: Chris Eastman

“I think for his own development I think he needs to crawl before he walks and not rush him into anything. Footy as we know is a 360 sport, so he’s got to understand how to protect himself.”

Jamie’s brother Lukas is one of Victoria’s top junior prospects after being named in the 2022-23 Basketball Victoria Future Development Program.

Meanwhile, Sullivan is an excellent addition for the Tigers, who lost star forward Josh Minogue and NFNL reserve grade league best-and-fairest runner-up Max Jones.

The Tigers have also secured Coburg VFL-listed young gun Max Thompson from Old Carey.

Dattoli is excited by Sullivan’s ability to impact games across the ground.

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“Tommy’s returned about four or five weeks ago and is a very handy pick up for us,” he said.

“He’s quick a quick player and can play multiple roles, which is handy in today’s footy.

“He’ll give us a lot of flexibility, which will compliment our game plan nicely.”

Heidelberg will kick off its Division 1 season by unfurling its premiership flag at Heidelberg Park against derby rival North Heidelberg on April 15.