Heidelberg West buoyed by two recruits in hunt for top-four finish
Heidelberg West coach Michael Missen says his club has never been in a better position to make finals and two recruits have made instant impacts.
Northern
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Fifth is no longer an option for Heidelberg West.
The Hawks have finished fifth in the past two seasons, missing the NFNL Division 3 top-four by a single game each time.
Coach Michael Missen believes the club has “never been in a better position” to break its 35-year drought.
However, he admits his team faces a battle in a packed competition.
“The comp is going to be super tight this year,” Missen said.
“Fitzroy Stars coming in and Kinglake and no one talks about Mernda, but I don’t think they’re far off either, so any of the top six can knock each other off on their day.
“I feel like we’ve never been in a better position, we got a lot of belief out of the back half of last year – I think we won nine of the last 13.
“We had a couple of losses early – Turtles by a point, at Kilmore we kicked ourselves out of the game – that I think we lost ourselves, we weren’t beaten in, so you need everything to go right.
“In the back half of the season we beat Turtles twice, beat Kilmore comprehensively and challenged Laurimar – we led them by five goals but got overrun – so we’re hungry, put it that way.”
Heidelberg West has retained the bulk of its list, only losing Daniel Walters (Mitiamo, Loddon Valley), Jake Chiminello (Macleod) and Hayden Chapman (Lalor).
With a stable list, the Hawks have recruited strongly.
Daniel Kelly arrives from Division 2 premier Banyule, where he was the heartbreak story after being dropped for the grand final despite playing 20 games for the season.
He’ll team up with long-time friend Daniel Cookson, who signs from Old Ivanhoe.
The pair will give West a significant boost in the midfield.
“We were pretty excited to retain our core from last year, the top 25 in our best-and-fairest are all locked away and, importantly, the four players in the Team of the Year were the first to recommit,” Missen said.
“Dan (Kelly) is a gun, I won’t lie, he’s someone we had in our interests from a long way out.
“He is a really good footballer but he’s an amazing human being as well, which is what we’re really keen to get into the club, he’s a fantastic leader and first-class citizen.
“I think the timing was right for him, having some conversations with him he saw the opportunity to come back and elevate a football program. He was excited by that and the chance to play with Dan Cookson.
“The time was right for Cooky as well, he’d been at Old Ivanhoe for a few years – he went there for an employment opportunity and felt he’d repaid the favour – and was looking to comeback to the Northern footy league.
“Those two wanted to play together and it ticked the boxes for everybody.
“They’re a little bit different, DK is a bit bigger-bodied midfielder and Cooky is a bit lighter but is super polished and a quality ball-user.”
Missen has also been impressed by Dylan Scott (Gembrook) and Dane Dmitrovic (Macleod).
“We identified we needed more support down back, some key position flexibility, and Dylan is an experienced player,” Missen said.
“He’s been a consistent senior player in Gembrook and a premiership player, he’s a high-quality guy with great leadership and a bit of a general down back.
“Dane, is only a young guy but is going to play a lot of senior footy, he’s an exciting talent.
“He was probably starved of opportunity at Macleod but he’s going to get good opportunity with us, he’s lightning fast and has a bit of X-factor about him. He’s going to impress people.”
DIV 2: HOW DIAMOND CREEK PULLED OFF RECRUITING BONANZA
LEADER: GET YOUR NORTHERN FOOTY NEWS HERE
DIV 1: RESPECTED ROOSTER ON TRACK FOR COMEBACK
Missen also expects Zac Delany to turn some heads after impressing in match simulation, while it’s hoped 2022 recruits Lachie Evans and Marcus Hill will play bigger roles this season after 10 and seven games respectively.
Heidelberg West will ramp up preparations with practice matches against VAFA club Old Paradians and Kyabram District outfit Avenel.
However, the club will have to wait for its season-opener after copping the bye in Round 1.
Instead, the Hawks will run out for the first time on Friday, April 21 in a night match against Fitzroy Stars at Heidelberg Park.
Laurimar lands local footy goalkicking great
Laurimar has joined the NFNL Division 3 arms race, securing one of the Northern league’s greatest goalkickers for its return to the competition in 2025.
Why Truslove traded Sydney Swans for Banyule
After two years at Sydney Swans, Damian Truslove is back in the Northern league after being appointed Banyule coach. He explains the move and what excites him about the Bears.