SFNL: Chelsea Heights has propped up its push for finals with six new recruits
A favourite son has returned and has come along with a stack of ready-made recruits as Chelsea Heights enhances its push for a Division 1 finals berth.
Southern
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Chelsea Heights footy operations manager Lee Thwaites believes the club’s latest signings allows the Demons to push for a Division 1 finals berth.
The Demons have signed Kieran Ellis (Albury), Jack Wilson (Warrack), Erish Uthayakumar (Euroa), Jake Thornell (Alberton), Troy Van Dyke (Foster) and Shaun Chaseling (returning) – and are expected to land more in coming days.
Uthayakumar and Wilson will immediately gear up the Demons’ front half, which Thwaites said was a weakness in 2023.
“It puts us back where we want to be, which is to be competing in finals,” he said.
“To be relevant in the area we need to be playing finals, so that’s where we want to be.
“We thought we would fill in some gaps to get there, our forward line was our Achilles heel, we were able to fill that with probably more than what we expected.
“We’re going to fill it with three guys who can kick a handful of goals, and that’s a big positive.”
The Demons, which finished ninth with three wins, struggled for depth in their return to Division 1.
Thwaites is under no illusions that the Demons will dodge injuries throughout the season but is now confident they will have the depth to cover the.
“Hopefully this gives us the option to not be too concerned if we lose a few blokes to injury,” he said.
“Last year if we lost three or more, we couldn’t keep up with the comp.
“Injuries do happen, so we’re hoping that when it does happen we have the guys to come in, play a role and still be competitive.”
Chelsea Heights’ under-19s was one of the earliest sides hitting the track for pre-season, starting on October 11.
Thwaites said it “is looking the most promising it has ever looked”.
The Demons have lost only Cody Stackelberg back to Aspley at this stage.
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