Tara Murray
A couple of best and fairest winners are returning to Woodend-Hesket for next year’s Riddell District Football League season.
The Hawks announced last week that Daniel and Ben Toman were returning to their home club from the Sunbury Lions.
Hawks coach Josh Pound said they were grateful to have both back at the club for next season.
“They’re back to their home club,” he said. “I’ve spoken to them every year about coming back..
“They could see we were competitive and had an almost season last year. They see that we are hopefully moving in the right direction and we’ll hopefully repay that faith.”
Daniel has been one of the RDFL and Ballarat Football League’s premier midfielders for a number of years, having previously played in the Victorian Football League.
He has captained both Woodend-Hesket and the Sunbury Lions.
Pound said last time he had to do a lot of the heavy lifting in the midfield, but they were confident they had more depth in their to support him.
“Dan’s resume speaks for itself,” he said. “He comes across as captain of Sunbury who are at a higher standard of footy.
“Hopefully we’ve provided a little more midfield support this year. Dean Bramley and Jack Arceri are coming off fantastic years.
“Kyle Baker who I rate highly is coming across with experience in the EDFL [Essendon District Football League].”
Pound said the arrival of Baker was another key player who they were hoping to have an impact.
He already had a number of connections with players at the Hawks and is in the right age demographic.
“He’s 21,” he said. “He has an existing connection with my cousin Tom, Jordan Rizzardo and Jack, as much as he is a new player.
“Hopefully all these guys stick around for a while.”
The three new signings come after the club announced earlier in the off season that Ethan Minns was joining the club from Gisborne.
Pound said Minns, who has finished top five in Bendigo Football League best and fairests, was another guy who ticked the boxes.
“We’ve been focused on getting guys to the club that tick all the boxes and have pre-existing connections with Woodend,” he said.
“He’s a Woodend junior himself and his brother-in-law is Tom O’Loughlin, who has been a massive contributor for us.”
Pound said they are hoping to announce a few more new signings in the coming weeks as they look to break into the top five next year.
