2011 Best & Fairest Award Winner: Brock McLean
2011 Leading Goal Kickers: Ahmed Saad – 50 goals, Setanta O’Hailpin –19 goals, Levi Casboult – 8 goals
Peter Jackson VFL Team of the Year 2011: Ahmed Saad & Adam Iacobucci
2011 Draftee’s: Ahmed Saad (St Kilda)
Finished 2011 Season: 6th (10 wins – 8 losses)
2012 Coach: Robert Hyde (1st year)
IN’s:
AFL
Carl Peterson – Hawthorn
VFL
Rex Taylor – Rumbalara, Mitchell Dowse – Casey Scorpions, Brydon Coles - Williamstown
TAC Cup
Alex Benbow – Dandenong Stingrays, Tim Totevski – Northern Knights, Luke Visser – Murray Bushrangers, Joshua Burgess – Calder Cannons, Matthew Atta – Northern Knights, Todd Coran – Calder Cannons, Jack Didier – Oakleigh Chargers, Ben Kerton – Northern Knights, Tim Currie – Northern Knights, Tom McEwan – Northern Knights
Local
Aiden Yelland - Wangaratta Rovers, Anthony Trigg – Maribyrnong Park, Chris Petroro – St Marys, Brayden Williams - Rumbalara, Jacob Gleeson – Euroa, Eamonn O’Connor – Seymour, Matthew Clark – Balwyn, Tom Black – Essendon Grammar, Nathan Karuzo - Penleigh Essendon Grammar, Nathan Parkes – Preston Bullants
Interstate
Shaun Wilson – NT Thunder
OUT’s:
Adam Iacobucci - Strathmore, Jarrod McCorkell - Newtown, Ash Arrowsmith - Strathmore, Christian Gianfagna - overseas, Ryan Gale – Port Melbourne, Nick Smith, Bryce Carroll, Thomas German – Oak Park, Josh Nesbitt - Keilor, Braden Pullen – Shepparton Bears, Ben Way, Nick Lawless, Joel McLellan – Greensborough, Mitch Papas – Northcote Park, Kamen Ogilivy, Tom Overman – St. Bernards, Phillip Wills – Avondale Heights, Kent Delbridge - Bundoora
Practice Matches:
Williamstown 8.9.57 def Northern Blues 7.9.51
Northern Blues 5.10.40 def Collingwood 6.2.38
New Senior Coach
The Northern Blues and Carlton Football Clubs have recently appointed a new senior coach to lead the Northern Blues into the 2012 season. Robert Hyde played 63 games for Collingwood and Essendon during the 1970s and won the prestigious Copeland Trophy in 1976 as Collingwood's best and fairest player.
Since his playing days, Hyde has excelled as a coach. From 1996 to 2006, he coached the Calder Cannons in the TAC Cup. During this time, the team reached 5 Grand Finals and won 3 Premierships.
Hyde's great ability to lead and develop young footballers has been recognised with him being chosen to coach the Victorian Country Under-18 side in the AFL National Championships from 2007 - 2011.
Northern Blues General Manager, Garry O'Sullivan, thinks Hyde is a great fit for the Club.
"Robert is the perfect appointment to follow on the good work of our most recent coaches in David Teague and Darren Harris. His knowledge of the modern game, coupled with his magnificent record of guiding young footballers to reach successful heights, will be a real bonus for the 2012 Northern Blues playing roster," O’Sullivan said.
Change of Leadership Group
The Northern Blues have experienced the loss of several key players. Past Captain and Vice captains, Adam Iacobucci and Jarrod McCorkell depart, and a new leadership team take over with Andre Gianfagna and Brent Bransgrove the co-captains.
Coach’s Comment:
The boys have worked very hard over the pre season period of training. The fitness staff have done a great job, so I think we are well prepared in this area.
Some existing Northern Blues players to keep an eye on are Adam Marcon, Kane Lambert, Paul Dirago, Tim Lincoln and Tyson Biffin, who have been flying. Tim Totevski, Ben Kertan and Alex Benbow are straight out of the TAC and are ones to watch this year.
Our goals for 2012 are firstly to be competitive in each game we play, improve as a team and individuals, as well as enjoying playing for the Northern Blues
– Robert Hyde
Next Preview: Werribee Tigers
Click the link below for the 2012 Northern Blues list:
Last Modified on 22/03/2012 09:07