Old Haileybury sign former St Kilda 200 gamer Sam Gilbert

Old Haileybury’s star recruit is set to inspire the reigning premiers as they step up into the A-grade this season while the loss of a gun will provide opportunities.

Reigning premiers Old Haileybury have received a massive boost ahead of the VAFA season, signing former AFL 200 gamer Sam Gilbert.

The transfer from MPNFL’s Bonbeach to the Bloods was made official on Tuesday after Gilbert, 36, informed his former club of the move.

It comes as the Bloods have also acquired Max Sinclair (Sandringham) and Corey Rich (Williamstown) full time after the two were mixing their game time in the VFL and VAFA in previous seasons.

Former St Kilda footballer Sam Gilbert has joined Old Haileybury. Pic: Michael Klein

Bloods coach Daniel Ward was pleased to have Gilbert as the club moves into A-grade this season.

“It’s a great get for the footy club,” Ward said.

“Sam obviously has a wealth of experience and has played at the highest level for a long period of time so he can really help our younger group so we’re wrapped to have him.”

Gilbert played 208 games between 2006 and 2018 as a defender for St Kilda in his 13-year AFL career.

Ward said Gilbert could play in multiple positions for the Bloods throughout the season.

“It will depend on where we are at, what we need, what we require,” he said.

“The good thing with Sam is he can play in multiple positions so I would say it wouldn’t be too much down back.

“We know we can use him through the middle, up forward and even on a wing so that will evolve as we go along and we will see where he is comfortable and what suits the group and we will go from there.”

Old Haileybury celebrate after winning the VAFA Premier B flag in 2022.

Ward said the recruit of Gilbert helped send a message to the group and outsiders that the Bloods were looking to step up as they move into the top tier competition.

“Obviously the more talent we can get through the door is great for us,” he said.

“Moving up to A-grade, (the recruit of Gilbert) helps all the other players on our list know that we are looking to improve and develop our list.

“So Sam coming on board is fantastic for our footy club and it will add confidence to our group.”

Corey Connelly and Corey Rich playing for the Bloods in 2014. Two-time Bloods premiership player Connelly will also return to the club full-time this season after recovering from serious concussion. Picture: Old Haileybury Facebook.

While the recruit of Gilbert was a big positive for the club, the Bloods lost their best and fairest winner Jack Lonie to his local club Seaford in the MPNFL.

It is a big blow for the club as Lonie finished second in the league best and fairest last season.

“Jack has gone back to his local club Seaford,” Ward said.

“That’s a big loss, Jack won our best and fairest and was second in the league best and fairest, but we wish him all the best because he is playing with family and we understand that.”

In mentioning Lonie’s departure, Ward was excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for some of the up and coming players.

“We have got some boys that are looking for that time in the middle and are improving at a rapid rate so that will open up some opportunities for some other boys,” he said.

“I’m excited about where we have got to but this group is not really done yet, we want to achieve some really good things in A-grade.

“We see ourselves as an A-grade club and now we got to prove it with the way we go about our training and once the season kicks off on April 15.”

The Bloods are set to return to a whole club pre-season program on February 1 where up to 10 players are expected to arrive from VFL pre-seasons.

The Bloods have had 17 players training in various VFL pre-season programs over the summer.

Ward said the group will be going “pretty hard” when they return to training in February with three sessions a week before heading into Saturday practice matches.