Swans’ ‘golden era’ vibes return with signings

Two of Maroochydore Swans favourite sons have returned to the team and more are tipped to follow as the club gets its 2018 premiership band back together.

Brad Kent and Bart Hold have returned to the Maroochydore Swans to link back with former skipper Josh Buckland. Picture: Matty Holdsworth

Two of Maroochydore Swans favourite sons have returned to the team and more are tipped to follow as the club gets its 2018 premiership band back together.

Brad Kent and Bart Hold have rejoined their junior club after being lured north by the Noosa Pirates.

Swans club president Simon Graye and 2018 co-captain Josh Buckland said about 50 per cent of the 2018 squad was set to take the field next season and others were close to signing on.

Graye said Kent and Hold were “headline” signings and two men that represented the club’s values to the core.

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“We don’t pay our players, they return for the love of the club and for their mates,” Graye said.

“It’s important.

“At least half of that premiership winning team will be back, which is great for the club.

“It was an excellent team.

“We have a number of guys who are cut from the same cloth too.”

Buckland and Kent have played together at the club since under-7s making it a simple decision for the former fullback to return.

“Some of my nearest and dearest mates are here, and we have had some great times together over the last few years,” Kent, 27, said.

“None of us get paid, we are just here for the mateship and what comes with footy.

“I actually had 2019 off, then signed with Noosa.

“Not saying Noosa weren’t a good bunch of people, but I’m just not as close with them as the guys here.”

Maroochydore's Bart Hold makes a run against Noosa Pirates.

Hold, 31, said the club had the right mix to return to the vibes of 2016-2018 when the club made three-straight grand finals and won two.

“I had a good time in Noosa but you notice the difference,” Hold said.

“We have a good time, a really strong core group and some younger guys coming through.

“Some other clubs like Beerwah have made some superstar signings but I see it as a challenge.

“I can’t wait to go up against them.

“We are getting those same vibes that we had in that good era back.”

Buckland, who is recovering from two knee surgeries, said the club was building to something special.

“That’s obviously a great memory,” Buckland said of the 2018 triumph.

“I thought we were done, but we got the win in very dramatic fashion.

“You make mates for life after wins like that.

“We are still looking at getting a few more of those guys back.

“It’s early days, but I think we’re in for a big year.”

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