VAFA Premier: Dan Hannebery, Sam Naismith, Josh Green join Old Xaverians

It has been a big summer of recruiting for Old Xaverians but what will the availability of their star signings look like. Find out here.

Former 2016 AFL grand finalists Dan Hannebery and Sam Naismith will reunite as teammates at Old Xaverians this season after signing with the VAFA Premier club.

The former Sydney teammates have joined Xavs for their 100-year anniversary season after being on AFL lists last year.

Xavs have also picked up utility Josh Green from the GWS Academy and former Western Bulldogs leading goalkicker Billy Gowers who was announced as a recruit earlier in the pre-season.

And after impressing since joining the club, Gowers was recently voted in as vice-captain.

New recruit Hannebery played 208 games for Sydney between 2009 and 2018 before moving to St Kilda where he played 16 matches.

The 2012 AFL premiership midfielder committed to Xavs last week with coach James Byrne putting “no pressure” on the 32-year-old to be ready in time for their blockbuster Round 1 clash against long-time rivals Collegians.

“We will see,” Byrne said, in response to being asked if the three-time All Australian will play in Round 1.

“He is going to prepare and get himself right.

“We are very hopeful but time will tell.

Dan Hannebery playing for St Kilda. He will join Old Xaverians in 2023. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

“He has only just committed.

“We are not here to put any pressure on him.

“We want him to enjoy his footy.

“He will put pressure on himself, that’s the way he is.

“And that’s why he was an elite footballer for such a long period of time and had a great AFL career.

“Dan is a professional, I will back him in to prepare.

“It’s more than me telling him, it’s him guiding us to how he feels and where he sort of sits with his body.

“We will be guided by him because he will know it better than anyone.”

Hannebery is training with the group at the moment and will look to get to match fitness as soon as possible after only committing to the club in early March.

He has dealt with calf, hamstring and groin issues in his past few seasons at St Kilda which robbed him of game time.

The season opener between the Xavs and Lions will be the first time the teams meet since last season’s elimination final where Xavs were defeated by 57 points.

Byrne said he was excited to have the experience of Hannebery at the club.

“Dan’s just jumped on board so we are looking forward to him coming in and setting a standard,” Byrne said.

“We know he is a phenomenal trainer and just an out and out professional.

“To get a person with his CV to the footy club is just phenomenal.”

The arrival of Hannebery adds to the strong connection the family has with the club.

Hannebery’s father Matt played with the club in the early 90s and captained following his 32-game VFL career with Footscray in the late 80s.

He was also senior coach for a few years, including 2018 where he played a major part in keeping the club in A-grade.

Matt Hannebery coach of Old Xaverians during VAFA Premier in 2018. Picture: Hamish Blair

Dan’s uncle and Matt’s brother Luke also played for Xavs and had a strong career.

Luring Hannebery to Xavs wasn’t just the family connection but also his good friend Cauley Beetham who has played nearly 100 games and was a previous vice-captain of the club.

Another family connection sparking a recruit was Green, who had his father and grandfather representing the red ‘n’ black before his time.

Green alongside Naismith have also signed with VFL club Port Melbourne with the pair set to play for Xavs when available outside of their state league commitments.

Sam Naismith in action during the 2016 AFL Grand Final. Picture: Michael Klein

Naismith played 30 games for Sydney, predominantly as a ruck, from 2014 to 2022.

Xavs assistant coach Alex Johnson, who is also a former Sydney footballer and teammate of Naismith, played a major part in bringing the 30-year-old to the club.

In another major boost, Xavs will gain back two of its “best players” from 2021 in defender Alex Trigar and former VFL winger-backman Jack Noone.

The pair both suffered knee injuries towards the end of the Covid interrupted season in 2021 which left them sidelined last campaign

Byrne was excited to have them back on the field in 2023.

“They are back on board which is massive,” he said.

“Alex Trigar is in our leadership group and is a bit of a spiritual leader of the joint and the same with Jack Noone, he is just an absolute pro.

“So not only do we get the AFL experience, we get the local experience through Alex and Jack.”

Xavs are set to play their centenary season with Xavier College’s Roche Oval as their home ground as Toorak Park undergoes renovations.

Xavs will host Collegians in their season opener on Saturday, April 15.