Jake, Mitch and Cam Wild back together at Hurstbridge and aiming high in NFNL Division 1

The Wild brothers – Jake, Mitch and Cam – reunited at Hurstbridge this season and believe the club is capable of something special this season.

Hurstbridge's Wild brothers, Cam, Jake and Mitch.

The 2024 season promises to be a Wild time down at Hurstbridge.

As the Bridges step into the NFNL Division 1 premiership window, the reunited Wild brothers – Jake, Mitch and Cam – will play a key role.

The trio linked up again this season, having previously spent a two seasons together at Whittlesea before going in different directions, and are aiming high.

Saturday’s 55-point thumping of Greensborough was just the second time this season all three have taken the field together – the first since the Round 1 win against Eltham.

It might be a few weeks before they’re together again with Mitch suffering a hand injury, while Cam could return to VFL duties with Port Melbourne after an eye-catching performance against the Borough.

Hurstbridge's Wild brothers, Cam, Jake and Mitch.

Regardless, the Wilds are loving life at Ben Frilay Reserve.

“At the moment we’ve got a lot of momentum, everyone is up and about,” Jake said.

“We’re feeling really connected as a group and we’re rolling at the moment.

Jake added: “We went our separate ways for a couple of years, we’re all loving it, the whole family is involved at the club.”

Originally the Yarrawonga the Wild family is now settled in Melbourne’s northern suburbs.

Mitch came through the ranks at South Morang and Diamond Creek and represented the Northern Knights, while Cam played Northern Knights and Murray Bushrangers.

Elder brother Jake has played for the Knights, Bushrangers, represented the Murray league and spent time at Montmorency.

Cam left Whittlesea mid-season 2022, joining EDFL club East Keilor, while Jake and Mitch switched to Hurstbridge for the 2023 season.

It was Jake that Bridges president Taylor Hopkins credits for getting, not only the brothers together, but for showing Hurstbridge was a destination club after several players departed after 2022.

Back together, the Wilds have big plans.

“It’s a pretty special place to be at the moment, the Hursty faithful are getting around us,” Cam said.

“We’re looking to keep growing and obviously try and knock off Heidelberg in a couple of weeks but we’ve got a massive one this week as well with North Heidelberg.

“We have a lot of respect for them, obviously last year they got the choccies by a fair margin, so it’s a big test.”

Hurstbridge sits second on the Division 1 ladder, on percentage ahead of Banyule, following an impressive 6-1 start.

The Bridges tackle North Heidelberg at Shelley Reserve on Saturday, looking to overturn last year’s disastrous 57-point elimination final defeat.

Jake and Mitch were both among the best on the day.

Following the King’s Birthday weekend bye, they will get a long-awaited crack at two-time reigning premier and undefeated ladder-leader Heidelberg at Ben Frilay Oval.

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DIV 2: WHITTLESEA PRODUCES SEASON’S BEST TO STAY PERFECT

The Bridges got within nine points of the Tigers at Warringal Park last season but went down by 37 at home.

Hurstbridge played Division 1 finals for the first time in club history last season and are hoping to build on that foundation.

“Every week there’s a new milestone, which is driving us, at the moment it’s the best start the club has had in Division 1,” Jake said.

“The next couple of games are big for us in terms of ladder position,” Jake said.