North Heidelberg coach Kasey Duncan discusses the Bulldogs’ expectations, preparations
31 for 31: North Heidelberg has a fresh look this season. New coach, new faces, new style but the expectations remain high at Shelley Reserve.
Northern
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern. Followed categories will be added to My News.
There will be a fresh look about North Heidelberg this season but the ambition remains the same.
After a straight sets finals exit last season, the Bulldogs will again be pushing for a top-three finish.
Led by new coach Kasey Duncan, the NFNL Division 1 contender could have as many as 10 new faces selected for its Round 1 blockbuster against arch-rival Heidelberg.
The likes of Todd Stevenson, Jesse Wallin, Ben Bath, Fraser Thurlow and Liam McKenna are all expected to have big impacts this season.
Duncan will also look to promote the club’s young talent after North’s under-19s reached the Division 1 preliminary final last year.
Stepping up from assistant coach under Jason Heatley last year, Duncan was looking forward to seeing what his team could achieve.
“I’m really happy with what we’ve built in terms of depth and how the new guys have come along and we’ve got some guys that are still a few weeks away.
“It’s going to be a new looking Dogs outfit … but change is good,” Duncan said.
“With me coming in as coach, implementing a new style of ball movement, new style of defence, a change in the coaching group.
“The fresh faces have been brilliant for the group, what we did bring in was experience, high-end players that have won premierships and played at VFL level and the younger pups have thrived on that.”
Despite an off-season makeover, the expectations remain high at Shelley Reserve.
The Bulldogs struggled with injury at the end of last year after reaching a preliminary final in 2023.
“There’s definitely fire there, we knew our best footy was as good as anyone’s, but unfortunately we had some sore blokes but had to pick them and we limped in,” Duncan said.
“Losing two finals by under three goals, we went down to two great sides, Greensborough was in great form and Montmorency.
“The aim is still the same, to finish top-two or top-three, it’s the best spot to finish.
“We’ve got to bank big wins early and as we always do we start with the benchmark, Heidelberg first up, that’s always a good test to see where you’re at.”
North will need to replace star forward and league-leading goalkicker Parker Heatley (59 goals), while Jared Crosbie (Kilmore), Michael Florance (Kinglake) and Zane Anderson (Whittlesea) are other notable departures.
Keilor premiership players Stevenson and Jesse Wallin arrive from Donald, Bath crosses from Greenvale, Thurlow travels down from AFL Sydney Premier Division premier North Shore and McKenna signs from Bonbeach.
The likes of Jacob Walker and Nathan Redeski also bring Division 1 experience.
Bath is VFL-listed at North Melbourne, while Josh Hamilton and Dane Whitnall earned spots at Northern Bullants, Hamish Murphy has moved to Williamstown and Liam Hunt returns to the level with Footscray.
If Hunt is unavailable, Duncan has pinpointed an emerging young gun to step up, while a key forward returns from serious injury to help fill Heatley’s boots.
“Cooper Bujega has really stood up with likes of Liam Hunt at VFL,” Duncan said.
“He’s got plenty of midfield minutes over the summer, he’s got raw pace and really clean around the pill, so he’ll get plenty of time in there.
“Brody White is massive for us and Todd Stevenson looks like he’s going to be good across centre half-forward.
DIV 3: KINGLAKE’S CENTENARY SEASON CELEBRATION AMBITION
LEADER: GET YOUR NORTHERN FOOTY NEWS HERE
DIV 2: CLEAN SLATE AN EXCITING UNKNOWN AT WATSONIA
“Adam and Ben Giobbi have come back fit and strong, everyone forgets about Ben a little bit after having that big hamstring last year, he’s like a new recruit.
“We’ve got to find 50-odd goals and Ben and Adam will be two of the boys up front, sometimes they work well together, sometimes they don’t, but it will be exciting to watch.”
Adding to the fresh look at Shelley Reserve is a set of new goalposts, which Duncan joked replaced the ones installed when the ground was first established.
The Bulldogs are also bullish about the club’s women’s program after its debut season in 2024 and under-19s team following its success last year.
Greats return as Heidelberg West eyes future
31 for 31: Heidelberg West has welcomed back two club greats but has focused on its future with its pre-season recruiting as it looks to win some respect back.
How Thomastown plans to take next step
31 for 31: In its eight seasons in NFNL Division 2, Thomastown has consistently finished between fourth and sixth. How can the Bears take the next step?