Hurstbridge’s off-season recruiting spree nets seven new faces already

Hurstbridge has made some major moves this off-season, adding a raft of new faces for 2022, including a best-and-fairest winner from EDFL Premier Division.

Liam Middleton flies high for Craigieburn. Picture: Jamie Morey

Hurstbridge has undertaken come major renovations this off-season.

Bridges co-coach Jarrod Tilley is a builder by trade and has made the most of his two weeks off, making some major off-season moves.

The club has been the busiest in the NFL Division 1 in the opening month of the annual recruiting silly season, adding seven new faces and more are likely on the way.

Craigieburn best-and-fairest Liam Middleton and brother Dayne are the latest additions.

Tilley said the pair had shown real promise in a tough season for the Eagles.

Liam Middleton in action for Craigieburn. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“Craigieburn obviously had a tough year in Premier Division but to win a best-and-fairest at a Premier Division club is a huge achievement,” he said.

“Liam is a premiership player in the EDFL and will give us some good bounce out of defence.

“Dayne is still only 19 and to play all 12 games this season in the EDFL top flight is a great effort.

“They’ve both got some significant connections at the club having come through Assumption College and we’re looking forward to adding them into the mix.”

The pair join fellow former Craigieburn player Caelen Anderson, Michael Florance (Diamond Creek), Nick Kent (Doncaster), Jacob Smith (Banyule) and Noel Murray (year off).

Florance is a big coup having previously been a NFL Division 1 Team of the Year ruckman with North Heidelberg in 2018 and Division 2 in 2016.

The star big man only played eight senior games for the Creekers this season due to injury and returns to Division 1.

“We were keen for a ruckman and Micky will fit perfectly with our mids, I know their really looking forward to getting first use,” Tilley said.

Michael Florance in action for North Heidelberg. Picture: David Crosling

“He’s a great player who’s just had some bad luck with injury this season but he’s already back in training and looking really good.

“We’d been in contact the last couple of years and his wife knows a few of the girls at our club, so the timing was right and we’re rapt to have him on board.

Anderson, Kent and Smith will add much-needed depth to the Bridges midfield after playing eight, seven and three games respectively with the Eagles, Sharks and Bears this season.

Anderson was a member of Craigieburn’s 2019 EDFL Division 1 flag and Smith a Division 3 premiership player with Banyule in 2017.

The recruits add to Hurstbridge’s re-signed talent.

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Captain Lachlan East, vice-captain Riley Reading, best-and-fairest Mitch Dale, Team of the Year centre half-forward Joel Naylor, key forward Bailey Jordan, Coburg VFL-listed Tyson Old and Ben Beaven are all onboard for 2022.

Tilley was thrilled with Naylor’s impact in his first season.

“He’s been unbelievable and he’s only 21 as well,” Tilley said.

“He was a great find for us and I think he can still go to another level, which is really exciting.”