VFL 2019: top onballer Brede Seccull to captain Sandringham this year
Sandringham has finalised its squad for the 2019 VFL season, naming top onballer Brede Seccull as its new captain.
Victorian Football
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Brede Seccull started last season as one of Sandringham’s best recruits.
He ended it as the runaway best and fairest and a member of the VFL team of the year.
And now the determined onballer kicks off the 2019 season as captain of the Zebras.
FRANKSTON, BUCKENARA PART WAYS
It’s been a sharp rise at the Trevor Barker Beach Oval for the 25-year-old, driven not only by his ball-winning ability, but his leadership and commitment.
Seccull, recruited from South Adelaide but a former Sandringham Dragon, replaces Sandy’s 2018 co-captains, Myke Cook, who left the club to play at Cheltenham in the Southern league, and Kade Answerth, who has been named vice-captain.
St Kilda recruits Sam Gilbert and Nathan Wright and top defender Jack Noone join Seccull and Answerth in the leadership group.
Seccull said it was an honour to be made captain of a club he had long admired.
He said he was aware of Sandy’s rich history and its roll-call of captains.
In his first outing as skipper he collected 24 disposals in last week’s practice match against Williamstown. Sandy won by 22 points.
“I picked up that sort of stuff (club history) at South Adelaide,’’ Seccull said.
“It’s important to recognise important people at your club. Sandy go back to 1929 … there have been some great people there and the names are listed on the honour board.
“It’s nice to have my name up there as best and fairest last year and now captain this year. It will be there forever and hopefully I can get my name up there as a premiership player or captain.
“That would be the ultimate goal.’’
Players voted on the captaincy, and gave the nod to Seccull over Answerth.
Seccull spoke to his teammate about it and he said Answerth told him, “You’re the best man for the job; I want to support you’’.
“Speaks volumes for his character … some guys might have got annoyed they got pushed out of the job, but he said don’t be ridiculous,’’ Seccull said. “That’s why he’s such a good player and a good fella.’’
With Aaron Hamill again in charge, the Zebras kick off the 2019 season on Friday, April 5 against Footscray Bulldogs at Whitten Oval, determined to improve on a thin 2018 when they won only five matches to settle 13th on the ladder.
The addition of defender Gilbert and the pacy Wright gives Sandringham experience and strength, and will help offset the loss of Cook, Dylan Weickhardt (who also joined Cheltenham) and Hayden McLean, who crossed to South Adelaide but was a late call-up to the Sydney list.
Other recruits include Frankston Bombers captain and onballer Sam Fox, a former Frankston VFL player, ex-Collingwood VFL and SANFL midfielder Steve Tahana, and former Port Melbourne tall Dylan Atkin.
“Last year was certainly challenging. This year I think we’re in a much better position,’’ Seccull said.
“I think we’ve got a core group of senior VFL players, and then a group of developing VFL players, complemented then by St Kilda.
“The way they (the Saints) recruited will help us with the four mature-age recruits. When they’re not at AFL level they’ll be pushing back to play with us and having an immediate impact … Robbie Young, 23 years of age, Nick Hind, 24, Call Wilkie, 22, Matty Parker, 23.’’
Seccull nominated Tahana and Jackson Hille as two players to watch this year.
Seccull’s brother Durras, 20 and a key forward from Old Haileybury, is another signing.
He kicked four goals in a practice match against Port Melbourne and is gaining confidence he can play at VFL level.
“He could be a chance to steal a couple of games as the 23rd man if he’s healthy and his form warrants it,’’ Seccull said.
“He’s getting that desire and belief. I’m hoping he can play a game or two. It would be pretty special to run out next to him.’’
Meanwhile, eight of Sandringham’s home games will be broadcast on community radio station Southern FM (88.3) this year.
Zebras CEO David Cannizzo said the coverage would provide exposure to the club and the VFL competition.
Southern FM’s first broadcast will be the Round 3 match against Williamstown at the Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Oval on Easter Sunday, April 21.
The Zebras have set themselves to reach 1000 members (go to club website for memberships).
SANDRINGHAM 2019 LIST (with local club in brackets)
48 Tom Laumets (Old Brighton Grammarians)
49 Brede Seccull (Old Haileybury)
50 Nathan Wright (St Bedes/Mentone Tigers)
51 Jonathan Haidon (Pines FNC)
52 Jackson Hille (Caulfield Grammarians)
53 Kade Answerth (Blackburn)
54 James Sziller (St Pauls)
55 Kai Owens (Cheltenham)
56 Sam Sofronidis (Collegians)
57 Theo Thompson (Caulfield Grammarians)
58 Kane Nissenbaum (AJAX)
59 Jack Noone (Blackburn)
60 Christian Carnovale (Hampton Rovers)
61 Nathan Smith (St Bedes/Mentone Tigers)
62 Stephen Tahana (St Bedes/Mentone Tigers)
63 Tim Dundon (Murrumbeena)
64 Anthony Seaton (St Kevins OB)
65 Callum Jones
66 Sam Fox (Frankston Bombers)
67 Brayden O’Toole (St Bedes/Mentone Tigers)
68 Nick Stamatis (Noble Park)
69 Dylan Atkins (Castlemaine)
70 Durras Seccull (Old Haileybury)
71 Michael Batten (Old Xaverians)
72 Lochie Adey (Blackburn)
73 Dylan Webber (Narre Warren)
74 Trent Thomas (Berwick)
75O Ryan O’Meara (De La Salle)
76 Ryan Carroll (St Kilda City)
77 Blair Atkins (Ormond)
78 Sam Gilbert (Old Haileybury)