This season won’t be the first time new recruit Hayden Bray and Senior Coach Brad Murphy have crossed paths. Bray was part of Murphy’s Under 18 team at Hoppers Crossing back in 2013 where he played an important role in their premiership winning year.
His junior credentials were strong, and included a two year stint at the Western Jets which was unfortunately injury interrupted.
When his underage years were completed at the end of 2014 he made the decision to play football in 2015 alongside his Uncle Tobi at West Footscray in the WRFL. A Grand Final appearance was the result of a successful season for the club, but a 49 point loss in the decider against Wyndhamvale denied Bray the chance of a premiership in his first full season of senior football.
The off season resulted in some change at West Footscray, and Bray was on the lookout for a new home for 2016. That’s when the call came from the Bloods Football Manager Brad Jamison. “When we heard Hayden was looking at his options for 2016 we put a call in and I’m thrilled he decided to make Melton his home for this year. Our Coach Brad Murphy and I saw Hayden’s professionalism first hand when we were involved with the Under 18s at Hoppers Crossing. His football smarts and skill level are at a very high level and I’m looking forward to seeing him on the spacious grounds in our competition this year”.
Senior coach Brad Murphy is just as impressed with what he’s seen from his new recruit since he began training with the Bloods. “Hayden has instantly made an impression on not only his new coaches but more importantly his new teammates. His willingness to talk and bring new ideas to the group is refreshing, and his skill execution by foot is second to none”.
For Bray the opportunity to reunite with Murphy has been exciting, as has the opportunity to move away from the WRFL. “Yeah it’s been a really good experience so far. All the boys at the club have all been welcoming and the transformation between WRFL and BFL has been great. Now just looking forward to getting stuck into games and looking forward to the year ahead with the new bunch of boys”. His wish list for the year is simple. “My main goal is to stay injury free. And to try to help out the club the best way I can on and off the field”.
And as it’s turned out, Hayden will be joined at the Bloods by his Uncle Tobi who joins the club both as a player and member of the Coaching panel.
Everyone at the Bloods welcomes Hayden to the Club!
Last Modified on 14/03/2016 20:49