Ivanhoe coach Wayne Schultz discusses Hoers preparation for NFNL return

A difficult final VAFA season will hold Ivanhoe in good stead for its return to the Northern league, with a star forward set to play a handful of games.

Ivanhoe coach Wayne Schultz gets a kick. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Ivanhoe believes a difficult two-win season last season will hold it in good stead entering the Northern Football Netball League.

The Hoers return to the NFNL for the first time since leaving the preceding Heidelberg District Football League in 1921.

They finished last in VAFA Division 1 last season in what would prove the last of 90 years in the amateur competition.

Ivanhoe will look to rebuild this season in NFNL Division 3.

Coach Wayne Schultz said more wins was high on the priority list this season.

Ash Close flies high for Ivanhoe. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“We only had a couple of wins, so singing the song a few more times will bring more smiles to the place,” Schultz said.

“The best thing about last season when we reflect, I enjoyed the year and the playing group enjoyed the year, we had a lot of fun.

“You certainly learn a lot about people when they’re challenged and challenged at a greater level and we learnt last year we’ve got an incredibly resilient group.

“None of the players shied away from effort and intensity, so I think it puts us in good stead to come into a new competition.

“Going through last year has given us a good launching pad … we feel we can certainly achieve more than two wins.”

The club has made recruiting former juniors a priority this season as it looks to build its list for 2024.

Kane Veliou, Will Drapac (both Heidelberg), Jack Welham, Ant Willison (both Old Ivanhoe) and Jamie Lay (Kew) are junior Hoers, while Ben Ernst (Noble Park) and Sam Aanensen (Lancaster) have also come on board.

“It’s been amazing, our strategy was to have a ping at the stumps with recruiting, re-engaging our past junior players that have been at other clubs and that’s been really successful,” Schultz said.

“Having those players wear the jumper for the first time in a new league is really exciting and those recruits are loving it, which is great to see.

“We’re really excited for Round 1, I’m excited to think there’ll be a number of first-gamers who have come through the juniors.”

Despite playing just nine games, former captain-coach Ash Close led the club – and was ranked eighth in the competition – with 28 goals.

The star key forward is now the boys coach at Coates Talent League power Oakleigh Chargers and will also be on the staff for Vic Metro.

The Hoers hope to still have him for a handful of games this year in between coaching duties.

“We respect his Oakleigh Cannons priorities and he’s got Vic Metro responsibilities as well,” Schultz said.

“We should see Ash quite a few times, we’re anticipating a third of the season, as long as his body is right.

“I’m big on balance, so if he feels his needs a weekend off football because he’s going hard at Oakleigh and Metro, we’re transparent about that.

“He’s such an important player when we have him, he’s kicked quite a few goals in the games he has played in the last two seasons.”

There’s a sense of excitement and adventure around Ivanhoe Park as the club prepares for a new season in a new competition.

Schultz said a number of incumbent players were the ones leading the way.

“Marcel Moran has been fantastic on the track, he’ll give us a lot of run-and-carry, he uses the ball really well,” he said.

“We hope he has an injury-free year and continues on the good work he did last season, with a full year he was one of two players that probably would have walked into our best-and-fairest.

“Michael Doyle will give us plenty down back, he continues to live up to his high standards and he’s in a good space with his fitness.

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“Another one who needs a pump up, he’s come back to the club and I’m really looking forward to what Jack Welham can do for us.

“Kane (Veliou), we’re rapt to have his expertise, Heidelberg is an incredible program.

“To have Kane come back, a Div 1 footballer, he brings a calmness and leadership to our group and we’re excited to see how his season plays out.”

Ivanhoe’s return season begins on April 6 with a trip to Crispe Park to face Reservoir, with both sides eyeing a invaluable win.