Will Golds explains mid-season move to NFL Division 1 club Montmorency

Former Hawthorn rookie Will Golds was one of the biggest local footy mid-season clearances and explains his decision to join Northern club Montmorency.

Will Golds in action for Montmorency. Picture: Nathan McNeill

Montmorency’s mid-season recruit Will Golds believes the Magpies can help him reach his goal of returning to the AFL.

The former Hawthorn rookie made an instant impact on debut, starring in the second half of Saturday’s thrilling come-from-behind win over North Heidelberg at Montmorency Park.

Golds was drafted by the Hawks with pick No.28 in the 2019 rookie draft but was delisted after rupturing his ACL earlier in the year.

He was cleared to Montmorency from VAFA Premier outfit Old Xaverians, where he’d played four reserves games this season.

Golds, who is on Carlton’s VFL list, was confident the move to the Northern Football League would pay off.

Will Golds tries to fend off Jesse Tardio. Picture: Nathan McNeill

“My goal in the long run is to play AFL and I think Montmorency will give me the best opportunity to play AFL,” he said.

“I was lucky enough to have two years at Hawthorn but this is a stepping stone to try and get back to the top level.”

“It was good to come down and get a win for the club (in my first game).”

Golds played a critical role in Montmorency’s comeback against the Bulldogs.

After a quiet first half he was shifted into the midfield after half-time and ran rampant in a blistering final quarter as the Magpies stormed home from 24 points down.

The running machine adds another weapon to Garry Ramsay’s midfield alongside skipper Jesse Donaldson, Jai Robinson, Sam Binion, Billy Jenkin and Steve McCallum.

“It took a while to get into it, to be honest,” Golds said.

“I was kind of out of it in the first half but in the second half (assistant coach) Ross Henshaw put me into the midfield and I started to get my hands on it and get a little bit more confidence.

Will Golds is tackled by Jaidyn Stephenson in the VFL. Picture: Ian Currie

“There’s some good players in there and they make my job a lot easier, I look forward to playing with them.

“It’s only been a week, so I’m still trying to get to know everyone’s names.

“Even (on Saturday) there were a few ‘yeah, yeah, yeahs’ on the field when I forgot people’s names.

“That will come over the next couple of weeks and hopefully we can go deep into finals.

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Golds showed he already has a good connection with star forward Patrick Fitzgerald, hitting the big forward twice in the last quarter for match-winning goals.

However, Golds will miss Saturday’s blockbuster against Heidelberg after being suspended for striking in the fiery clash.

Montmorency will also be without McCallum who was also offered a one-week ban.

The Magpies sit sixth on percentage but are equal with the Tigers on six wins, with a win critical in the fight for a double chance.