Footballers near return to track

PRE-SEASON training for Heathcote Football Netball Club’s football teams is just five days away.

The Saints seniors and reserves will be back at Pigeon Park in Barrack Reserve from 6pm on November 27.

Session one of the build-up to next season’s Bendigo Bank Heathcote District Football Netball League action will include the under-18s players joining in with the open-age teams.

In what will be his fourth pre-season in charge, Saints’ senior coach Andrew Saladino said the plan would be four consecutive Wednesday night training runs at Pigeon Park from 6pm. “We are starting pre-season later than what we would usually do. It was a big year physically and mentally,” Saladino said.

“The goal is four strong training sessions before the break for Christmas and New Year and then back into pre-season from mid-January.”

On the recruiting front the Saints regain Will Tobin after a two-year stint with Bell Park in the Geelong Football League.

“Will can play centre half-back, at half-back, or could even be in midfield.”

Jack Jones is back at Heathcote from North Heidelberg. “We have lost quality players in Corey Grindlay and Braden Padmore,” said Saladino.

A new-look attack includes Dylan Johnstone who makes his way to the Saints from Cohuna Kangas and previously Golden Square.

Another top recruit is Justin Bateson, a skilful small forward who could spend time in a midfield or on-ball.

The Saints also have Liam Jacques and Zak Saad who spent plenty of time on the sidelines in ’24 because of injury.