New Hurstbridge coach Joel Cordwell talks new recruits, new method
Hurstbridge has been quietly assembling an impressive recruiting class ahead of the new season. See what new coach Joel Cordwell has to say.
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Hurstbridge’s impressive recruiting class has flown under the radar this off-season.
The Bridges have quietly assembled a new group of new faces for the NFL Division 1 2023 season as the club looks to push for finals.
New coach Joel Cordwell, together with the club’s recruiters, have lured some exciting young talents to Ben Frilay Oval.
Cordwell’s connections at Carlton VFL has seen Mitch Moschetti sign on, together with Phillip Island teammate and Gippsland Power representative Harry O’Brien.
VFL talents Jake and Mitch Wild have crossed from Whittlesea and Chris McCabe has joined from West Preston-Lakeside.
Laurimar best-and-fairest and four-time Division 3 Team of the Year gun Jake Richards will step up to top-flight football, while Nick McColl (Bundoora), Will Plain and Tom Indian (Whittlesea) and Jack MacNeill (Heidelberg) have also crossed.
Former Carlton Academy player Josh Beven has also switched from Eastern Premier club Park Orchards.
“We’ve lost a couple, we’ve got a bit of experience, but we’ve been working hard to find guys with talent, guys looking to prove a point but also good character,” Cordwell said.
“We wanted to add some outside run and speed and be a bit more dynamic in our play and we feel like we’ve been able to do that.
“Jake Wild will be a fantastic addition, already the group has responded to him and Mitch really well.
“Mitch has been amazing, he’s obviously still at Carlton but he’s coming to every session with us and demonstrating the habits and methods to the group.
“It’s like he’s been here for 10 years and he just wants to add value to the footy club.”
Last season’s skipper Lachie East, Tyson Old and Dale brothers, Mitch and Dale, are the key departures from 2022.
Cordwell brings plenty of experience having previously worked at Carlton VFL and Eastern Ranges and coached Heathmont in the Eastern league.
A referral from former Hurstbridge player Travis Cloke helped get him the job, replacing Jarrod Tilley and Brayden Shaw.
He is looking to bring in a new method and has some lofty ambitions for the new season.
Cordwell has been impressed with his players’ focus during pre-season before the Christmas-New Year break.
“We gave them a challenge over the break and the number of guys posting – even getting work done on Christmas Day – has been excellent,” he said.
“In the WhatsApp group there’s been over 300 sessions posted, the guys are doing a lot of running on Strava.
“The response we’ve got has been really strong, working together in groups and pushing themselves, I’ve been really impressed.
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“We’re looking to get up the ladder, as a club we’ve spoken about transformation and hopefully that will allow us to be in more games.
“We want to get up towards halving (the season) 50-50 so nine wins and nine losses would be the aim and anything above that is a bonus.
“There’ll be a learning curve and because we’re young there will be times when we come out and shoot the lights out and another week we might not get it all right.”
Hurstbridge kicks off the 2023 season when it hosts West Preston-Lakeside at Ben Frilay Oval on April 15.
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