By Tara Murray
Woodend-Hesket is planning on making sure its playing finals football every season, not here and there in the Riddell District Football League.
The Hawks made finals for the first time in 14 years in 2023 and made the grand final, before finishing out of contention in seventh last season.
Coach Al Rae said while they were hoping they could have success this year, they were also focused on the future.
“We don’t want to have a spike every now and then,” he said. “We want to get in there continuously.
“As much as I want to do it in the short term, myself, the president and the committee want the best players for a sustainable future, not just this year.”
Rae said it had been a really good off season for the club with good numbers at training.
The Hawks have signed eight new players.
“We’re looking quite strong,” he said. “We needed some depth but we also needed some top end talent.”
Jack Binns has crossed from Aberfeldie, while Brendan Butler and Matthew Doody are among those crossing from Strathmore.
Mores premiership captain Sam O’Loughlin, who has been playing in the country more recently, has also come across.
Rae, who is another former Strathmore player, said there were now 13 former Strathmore juniors at the club.
He said the likes of O’Loughlin and Butler would provide some much needed experience.
“Apart from one year when we made the grand final, the guys were really quiet,” he said. “Sam is a good leader, a little bit older.
“Brendan Butler will be vice-captain. He is really loud and vociferous. He’s an energiser bunny.”
Rae said while it was tough last year, it had allowed them to get some games into players that would not have otherwise.
He said this would mean this year they would have 25-30 guys playing for senior spots.
“There is a lot more competition for spots,” he said. “No one will be gifted games.”
Rae, now in his second season as coach, said he was a bit more confident with things and felt it would be a bit more polished this year.
The Hawks have three practice games against Trentham, Glenroy and Rupertswood before the season kicks off on April 5.
