Nathan Hrovat enjoying playing his role, playing with his mates at Greensborough
Former AFL star Nathan Hrovat isn’t one to demand the spotlight, he’s just enjoying playing local footy with his mates at Greensborough.
Northern
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Ex-AFL star Nathan Hrovat is loving life back in local footy.
The former Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne midfielder is returning to his roots after coming up through the ranks at Mill Park.
He signed for Northern Football League powerhouse Greensborough before the cancelled 2020 season and made his debut in the grand final rematch win over West Preston-Lakeside in April.
“It’s been really good, the club has been fantastic in welcoming me down,” he said after Saturday’s win over North Heidelberg.
“It’s been fantastic to play local footy again and see the crowds, it’s really exciting, it’s great to see footy in general played around the state.
“I know a lot of the boys from growing up and it’s been fantastic to come back and play a bit of footy.
“I was a junior at Mill Park but went to school with a lot of the boys and grew up playing footy with a lot of them.
“I’ve got some good mates here, so it’s fantastic to come back and play some footy with them.”
Hrovat has played four of six games so far this year, kicking at least one goal in each outing.
A first-round draft pick in 2012 with 69 AFL games to his name, Hrovat adds another level of star power to a team already bursting at the seams with quality.
However, while some former elite players might demand bigger roles he is happy to do what the team needs.
“It’s a very, very talented team, I’m just playing a bit part,” he said.
“There’s a lot of super players in the team, Clarkey (Chris Clark), Belly (Tom Bell), young boys like Benny Pannam, Nick Riddle is a good player, Billy Bedford, Jack Johnstone.
“The strength is the group and the way we want to play footy … I just add a bit of experience, a little bit of energy and excitement around the ball.
“Where I can I play my role, whether it’s forward or inside, I just try to support the guys and hopefully we can continue to have more good wins.”
Hrovat was one of Greensborough’s best in the 88-point win over North Heidelberg, splitting his time between attack and midfield.
He finished with two goals and was heavily involved in several other scoring chains.
The wins takes the Borough to the top of the Division 1 ladder, ahead of West Preston-Lakeside on percentage.
The club is determined to right the wrongs of 2019 and Hrovat can see the club has a special group.
“It was probably the first time this year we’ve been able to play four quarters of Greensborough football.” he said.
DIV 1: BOOMER INJURED AS BOROUGH DISMANTLE DOGS
LEADER: GET YOUR NORTHERN FOOTY NEWS HERE
DIV 3: COMEBACK WINS CEMENTS KILMORE’S FINALS SPOT
“We want to continue to build into the season, everyone missed last year so the first six or seven rounds are a bit of an unknown.
“That’s why we all play, that’s why we’re here (to win premierships).
“We’ll continue playing our brand of footy and hopefully it stacks up (come finals).”
Greensborough hosts traditional rival Heidelberg at War Memorial Reserve this weekend.
Ex-AFL talent among newest Northern recruits
RECRUIT TRACKER: Local footy silly season is in full swing and Northern league clubs have brought in more than 50 recruits, including ex-AFL and VFL talent, league medallists and more.
Popular footy show shuts down amid league crackdown
A local football league’s decision to limit its clubs’ access to outside media, threatening fines or disqualification, has forced a popular fan-driven footy show on Facebook to shut down.