WRFL: Hoppers Crossing’s Patrick Veszpremi attempts switch to Caroline Springs
One of Hoppers Crossing’s big-name signings has attempted to join a Western Region Football League rival without playing a game for the club. Coach Steve Kretiuk gives an update on his list.
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Star Hoppers Crossing recruit Patrick Veszpremi is attempting to join Western Region Football League rival Caroline Springs.
The former AFL player linked up with the Warriors for the cancelled 2020 season and has had a clearance request to switch to the Lakers denied.
Veszpremi was on Port Melbourne’s VFL list last year and made five appearances in an injury-interrupted campaign.
He spent six years in the AFL system, playing 23 games for Sydney and the Western Bulldogs.
Veszpremi had stints with Pascoe Vale and Essendon Doutta Stars in the Essendon District league before committing to the Borough in 2019.
Hoppers Crossing coach Steve Kretiuk said he expected Veszpremi to take the field for his team in 2021.
The experienced Veszpremi was a crucial recruit for the Division 1 outfit, which lost midfielders Chris Endres and Jordan Mead early in 2019.
“He signed for two years … so in my eyes he’s still a required player,” Kretiuk said.
“That’s obviously something that will play out, but I’m very keen to keep him in our squad.
“We brought him in to play a role and, as I said to (club president) John (Costa), I still see him playing a role so we want him to play with Hoppers.
“In my eyes, he’s a Hoppers players next year and that’s all I can say.”
On the plus side, former VFL player Jack Dorgan has recommitted, along with Williamstown-listed Hayden Walters.
Despite the salary cap reductions – Division 1 clubs will have $100,000 to spend on players next year – Hoppers Crossing has had no confirmed departures of note after a first-week finals exit last season.
Kretiuk said the fact his players had stayed loyal was a “good sign” as the Warriors chase their first top-flight flag since 2002.
“We’ve had no one leave, which is good. Everyone’s committed,” Kretiuk said.
“It’s been pretty smooth. I thought we’d have a few more headaches with the salary cap and everything, but I think players understand you can’t just go somewhere else and get (more) money because it’s not available anymore.
“I think it’s the best thing that’s happened for a long time, the reset. If clubs are playing by the rules, I think it will even out the competition a fair bit.”
Kretiuk said the Warriors were unlikely to sign any big names in coming months, preferring to reward those who had stuck by them.
“We always try and pay the cap. We try and reward players as much as we can,” he said.
“Regardless of what the cap was, we always try to pay it because if we don’t, someone else will.
“We’re probably full capacity.”
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