By Trevor Jackson
AFTER reaching the preliminary final in the 2021 Mid South East football season, the Hatherleigh Football Club is keen to return to the top.
The Eagles dispatched Robe in the first semi-final but could not match the intensity of Kalangadoo in the do-or-die preliminary final and bowed out.
That result appears to have no bearing on how the 2022 season will play out for the Eagles, with a plan to again play finals football.
“We know internally we have a good list and a young list and our our expectation is high,” coach Jake Dowdy said.
“We were a bit disappointed about last year and have had a chat about it.
“Hopefully this year we can go a bit further and get into the big one.
“That’s footy – they are hard to get to and harder to win.”
So far Dowdy said he is happy with pre-season training, with good numbers on the track and plenty of excitement around the group.
That comes from a few new players joining the group, which Dowdy said should bolster the ranks and improve on-ground performance.
“Mark Marriott has come over for work from Victoria,” he said.
“He is a big ruckman and is moving pretty well.
“Brad Mitchell comes over from South and Sam Gray from Millicent.
“They all played both our pre-season games and went really well.
“They fit in with our group really well.”
Those games were against West Gambier at Malseed Park, them a trip up to Lucindale.
Dowdy said the Lucindale hit-out was a struggle with a lack of numbers due to the long weekend but he was still pleased with the progress of the side.
While Sam Waring and Mitch Pulmer are exclusions this season, Dowdy is confident he has replaced those players, not just with recruits but also internally.
“We have some amazing depth,” he said.
“Our reserves side is really good and we have some good young fellows, so a lot to choose from.”
As is the case with other clubs, Dowdy said there is a major focus on the youth coming through the ranks.
“The way I see it, the young fellows are the future of the club, so you have to put as much work as you can into them,” he said.
“You have to develop them and give them a crack at senior football, then if you do everything right, fingers crossed they stick around.
“I think we have been lucky at Hatherleigh – we have a lot of numbers and most of them stick around.”
Those names includes the likes of Cameron Atkinson, who played half a season last year in the A Grade side, up out of the Senior colts.
Riley Shanks is another up-and-coming junior who has enjoyed a big pre-season and a couple of trial matches.
“A lot of players will have their last year in Senior Colts this year who will be really handy as well,” Dowdy said.
Dowdy said he expects the Eagles to be competitive again this season but expects a tough challenge ahead.
“It will be tough,” he said.
“I know Kalangadoo is going to be very good this year but you just have them as your benchmark and try to match them when you play them, then adjust throughout the season.”
The 2020 season being cancelled had a big effect on many teams following through into 2021.
Dowdy said with a full year of competition last season, 2022 should pan out better for all clubs.
“Last year a lot of teams were hit hard with injuries having the previous year off,” he said.
“Now with that year under our belts I think everyone is a bit fitter, a bit more excited and keen to go.”
