Michael Paul named as new Huonville Lions captain

Huonville Lions have turned to one of the SFL's best players as their new captain for season 2024. Michael Paul opens up on why he could be set for a big year and the reasons he's excited.

Michael Paul in action for Huonville Lions. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

There’s bad news for Southern Football League teams.

Huonville Lions star Michael Paul is feeling fresh and ready for a big 2024.

It comes after he was appointed as the SFL powerhouse’s captain for this season.

Paul will take on the role for a second time having previously guided the club before enjoying a stint with Kingborough in the TSL.

Cameron Johns and Rhys Ward will be his deputies.

“The captaincy isn’t something I was really thinking about but I didn’t hesitate to take it on board,” Paul said.

“It’s a really exciting opportunity and I’ve got two very level headed, young men to help guide me as well.

“I’m feeling a lot better with my footy at the moment, I feel in a really good space to put together a better season.

“The club is in a very good position, there’s a lot of anticipation about the year ahead.”

A changing of the guard in the leadership position has also come with a coaching shift.

Callen Daly is now in the top job as Paul and his teammates look to make up for last year’s shock grand final defeat.

“It’s been a really exciting time under Cal so far,” he said.

“The club had a very steady and consistent coaching panel over the previous 10 years, which is a massive positive, and the change has been really exciting.

“It’s a real credit to those before Cal who have given him such a strong platform to work with.

“From a playing perspective there’s that perceived pressure of having to prove yourself to a new coach, the training has been at a really high level.

“We’ve got some really good young kids coming through, we haven’t had an influx like that for a while. We’re in a strong position.”

When it came to leading the club forward, Paul said he expected to take a “more old school approach”.

“I’ll have a real emphasis on being conscious and understanding my teammates,” he said.

“I’ll definitely be drawing on from previous captains and their own experiences.

“Relationships are such an important part of footy now.”

HUONVILLE LIONS SET FOR A NEW ERA

Huonville Lions are once again shaping as one teams to beat in the Southern Football League.

After going down in a shock grand final defeat to Cygnet last season – the club’s only loss of the season – a new era is underway under Callen Daly.

The former North Hobart TSL captain has been tasked with leading the club’s latest chapter after he was named as Nick Doyle’s replacement last year.

With the start of the new season quickly approaching, Daly is determined to see his side in contention once again.

“Everything is going really well at the moment,” he said.

“I chose to give a lot of the senior guys an extended break and they’ve started to find their way back into training. It was important they were able to recharge the batteries and be ready to go again.

“They’ve come back hungry and are determined to try and go one step further.”

In a bid to strengthen their premiership ambitions, the SFL powerhouse has welcomed three high quality recruits alongside the playing coach.

Alex Bessell, a tough inside midfielder, has made the switch from Kingborough where he made his TSL debut at 16.

Alex Bessell.

Some of Huonville Lions' new recruits.

He then went onto win the Rising Star competition and is now 21.

Another newcomer in Tom Wright will return to the field after taking a year off in 2023.

He previously played for Kingborough’s Development League side and has won plaudits for his defensive pressure up forward.

Meanwhile, Regan Brock will join his brother, Ethan, at the club after making the move from Sydney.

Ethan won the club’s best-and-fairest in 2023 with Regan expected to play on the wing.

“We’ve added quite a bit of pace,” Daly said.

“It’s always important to try and add some fresh faces because it creates pressure for spots which will only benefit us as a club.”

While he is still finding his feet as a senior coach, Daly said he is enjoying every minute of the experience so far.

“It’s something I was ready for,” he said when asked about transitioning from an assistant coaching role.

“The club is well built. The transition has been quite smooth actually.”