Tara Murray
Key signings late in the pre-season have bolstered Woodend-Hesket ahead of the Riddell District Football League season.
Things have picked up for the Hawks late in the piece, after a quieter period before the Christmas break.
New coach Josh Pound said things were going well and they were excited for the season to get underway.
“It’s been really good,” he said. “Before Christmas it was about getting everyone excited about playing football again.
“We’ve got a few new recruits late in the piece and we’re happy with who we have picked up.”
Pound has looked to use his contacts at his former club Aberfeldie to add to the Hawks squad.
Midfielders Jack Arceri and Frank Fazzolari have come across from Abers. Former Essendon forward and Pound’s premiership teammate at Aberfeldie, Courtney Johns has also come across.
Pound said they were unsure how much Johns would play due to work commitments, but said he had already made a major impact at the club.
“He hasn’t played the last couple of years, but he’s still in good shape,” Pound said. “He provides good leadership to the younger players at the club.
“We have a good stock of 18-19-year-olds, and he’s mentored them in a short period of time. On the field, you can’t buy that sort of experience and when he gets on the field we think he will have an impact.
Pound’s cousin Tom Pound has also joined the club and will provide a target up forward.
With a growing number of youngsters ready to step up, Pound said it was an exciting time for the club.
He highlighted Tobi Duff-Tytler as one player to keep an eye on.
“He played every game last year as a 17-year-old and has grown again,” Pound said.
“He is able to play multiple positions and we might see him more in the midfield. I love the way he goes about it.”
Pound said they had lost a few players, but felt like they had been able to fill the holes they needed too.
He said the challenge in the early part of the season was bringing all the players together.
“We’ve brought in some guys who for an extended period of time play footy together,” he said. “They know how to play together, it’s about bridging that gap.”
For Pound it has been a learning curve throughout the pre-season having taken on the coaching role.
He said there had been plenty of support for himself.
“It’s going really well and I’m learning every session,” he said. “The guys are believing in what I’m doing.
“Alastair Rae, who is the captain, has been a massive help. Paul Podbury, is the ex-president, and will be my right hand man as a non-playing assistant coach.
“Chris Oliver, an ex-St Kilda ruck, will be an assistant coach and help with the midfield. I don’t think the midfield was where we wanted it to be last season.”
Pound said they were aiming to play finals this season, having not played finals in more than 10 years.
The Hawks will kick off their season on April 2 against Lancefield.
