SFNL: How Highett will reload for the 2025 season

Highett has launched its recruiting campaign and is looking for a specific type of player to lift it back into Southern league contention.

Highett coach Clint Einsiedel. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“Strong bodies and experience” will be the foundation of Highett’s push to contend in 2025.

The Bulldogs won a final in 2023 but a slow start in 2024 had them chasing the leading pack for the rest of the year.

Highett has lost star midfielder Jacob Duscher to Dingley while VFL-listed Tiger Tom McCarthy changed home clubs.

But the Bulldogs have added Jordan Benitez (Endeavour Hills), Yael Hoorman and Dayton Woodham (both Cheltenham).

With three of the four Southern league premiers winning the reserves flag as well, Highett coach Clint Einsiedel said the Bulldogs have prioritised depth across each line.

“It’s been about getting some more depth into the club, in terms of the list,” he said

“Our development team have probably only won a handful of games for the last three or four years.

“We’re looking at having a deeper list overall and bringing in players now that will be around in five to 10 years.

“We’re trying to get guys in that 23 to 26 range if we can; strong bodies who have played a bit of footy.”

Macklin Raine has re-signed. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Hoorman ran third in the Division 1 reserves league best and fairest while Benitez played every game for Endeavour Hills this year.

“We’ve brought in two from Cheltenham, they’ll bring the strong bodies and experience we need through the middle of the ground,” Einsiedel said.

“They’re hungry for the opportunity to play midfield time at senior level and when guys are hungry for opportunity you can get the best out of them.

“Young Jordy from Endeavour Hills will be really good across halfback, he’s a nice young bloke and lives in the area.

“That’s been a focus as well, bringing in blokes who are local to the area.”

Highett is now looking to strengthen up its spine.

“Probably a little down back, being able to combat opposition talls but overall I think we will improve our contest work and two-way running.” Einsiedel said of the area the Dogs needed to improve.

Highett was disappointed to lose Duscher but Einsiedel said his departure wouldn’t change the entire makeup of the group.

Jacob Duscher has moved to Dingley.

“It hasn’t really forced our hand (to recruit experienced midfielders), we’re disappointed about Jacob leaving but he’s one player,” he said.

“Tom McCarthy didn’t play a whole lot of footy with us and there’s no other significant losses, so it’s about staying on the road we’re on.

“We finished the year pretty strong so if we get a good pre-season in, start next year better then we feel we’ll be right in the mix.”

A winless first month cost the Bulldogs another shot at finals.

Einsiedel is aware of starting the season well, particularly with the strength of the competition rising each year.

“Our biggest obstacle is not underestimating the competition, I think Division 2 is going to be better than it’s ever been,” he said.

“With Chelsea and Mordy coming down, Frankston Dolphins will be really strong coming up.

“When you reflect back four, five, six years ago, the bottom two, three in second division were pretty average — I don’t think that’s the case moving forward.

“It’s going to be good because you won’t be able to have a bad week or else you’ll lose, I think it’ll be good across first division as well.”