Williams slots into Heathcote’s midfield

HEATHCOTE co-coach Andrew Saladino believes the team has a markedly stronger midfield and on-ball group leading into next year’s Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL senior football action.

The Saints signings for 2026 include Dillon Williams from Rochester who joins his brother Sean in crossing from Tigerland to Pigeon Park in Barrack Reserve.

“Dillon’s decision to join is huge for the club,” Saladino said.

“He brings leadership and is a hard-at-it midfielder or on-baller.

“Midfield became a big focus of our recruiting.

“Dillon gives us so much, not just his skill and toughness, but being able to help teammates improve their game.”

A career tally of more than 200 games for Dillon Williams includes stints with Rochester and Eaglehawk.

He and Sean played for Rochester in last season’s Goulburn Valley grand final against the Kyabram Bombers.

The Tigers were beaten by 29 points as Sean kicked two goals and Dillon added another.

The Williams brothers were premiership winners with Eaglehawk in 2018.

Heathcote’s attack in 2026 will have Sean Williams and Dylan Johnstone as key targets.

The Saints’ starting on-ball group in 2026 is likely to include Dillon Williams, Rhys Bolton and Will Tobin.

Add in co-coach and captain Liam Jacques, who missed a lot of last season because of injury, and the Saints are confident about being in finals contention once again.

The ruck role is likely to be taken by Jordy Marcroft and Tom Johnson.

Newcomers for the Saints include Riddell key defender Jacob Chahine, Strathmore’s Jake Waters, and Hugh Freckleton, a key position player who won a senior premiership with Golden Square in 2023.

Runner-up in 2023 and a semi-finalist in 2024, Heathcote endured a tough run with injury last season.

The Saints finished eighth on a record of three wins, 12 defeats and a draw.

A high for the club was the under-18s reaching the semi-finals.

Saladino said 14 of the players from the under-18 team move up to open-age football next season.

The Saints’ pre-season training kicked off last Monday at Pigeon Park and will include eight sessions run on Monday and Wednesday until the Christmas break.