South Morang coach Gary Hall says there’s no panic ahead of Division 1 return
As South Morang prepares to return to the Northern league top-flight, the club is in no rush to bring in a swag of recruits and comfortable trusting its premiership group.
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There’s no panic at South Morang.
The Lions have landed just one recruits – Anthony Bonaddio – ahead of their NFNL Division 1 return in 2025.
It will be 45 years since the club has played in the top-flight of the Diamond Valley/Northern league when it runs out in Round 1, a drought broken with a maiden Division 2 title in September.
South Morang will unfurl its premiership flag at Mill Park Lakes Reserve on April 5 against West Preston-Lakeside.
Whether it bolsters its line-up or not, the Lions are confident of cementing their place in Division 1.
Coach Gary Hall said the club had targeted a number of players and still had several irons in the fire.
“We’ve spoken to a few, we’re not the type of club that just goes and signs anyone,” Hall said.
“We’re looking at specific targets and they’ve got to buy into the culture of the club as well.
“It’s a bit tricky at the minute but we haven’t lost anyone, everyone is another year older and another year wiser.
“That’s the main thing, keeping the group together. The majority are around 23 or younger so have plenty of football ahead of them.”
Bonaddio has spent the past few seasons out of football but has a glittering resume.
The midfield-forward was a standout for Northern Knights and was invited to the AFL Draft National Combine.
He played senior football at South Morang, West Preston-Lakeside and Heidelberg as well as Heathcote District club Elmore.
Otherwise, South Morang will trust in the playing group that delivered two premierships in three years, jumping from Division 3 to 1 in the blink of an eye.
While there are no outside recruits, the Lions will have an influx of young talent after the club’s under-19s reached the Division 1 Under-19s grand final this year.
“Some of the 17s stepped up to fill in in the 19s last year and there’s a few that are quality too, so they’re training with the senior group,” Hall said.
“Recruiting is not the be-all and end-all, the boys we picked up last year were really good and will be better for the season with us.
“There’s plenty of improvement in the boys, that’s for sure.
“It’s just excitement, (moving up to Division 1) is something that’s not been done at the club.
“There’s a winning culture here, they won’t die wondering that’s for sure.”
NFNL: RESERVOIR’S RECRUITING STRATEGY EXPLAINED
LEADER: GET YOUR NORTHERN FOOTY NEWS HERE
MOVES: MORE THAN 140 RECRUITS JOIN NORTHERN CLUBS
Premiership heroes Josh D’Intinosante and Deacon Kalpakis remain on Coburg’s VFL list for 2025.
Morang junior Christian Mardini has signed on at Northern Bullants.
Mardini, a 197cm key defender, captained Northern Knights this year and represented Vic Metro as a bottom-ager at the Under-18 National Championships in 2023.
He made his senior debut for the Lions in Round 11 and was part of the under-19s grand final side.
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