By DAVID NAGEL
ONCE feared, but recently forgotten, Doveton will be looking to wind back the clock and repeat history in the inaugural South East Football Netball League season in 2015.
The Doves, under Steve Henwood, won the inaugural Casey Cardinia league premiership in 2005, but have faded since, having not played finals since finishing top and losing the 2009 grand final to Pakenham.
The Doves, who invested heavily in their failed 2013 campaign, reverted to a shoestring budget last year but have now reloaded their guns as they look to shoot to the pointy end of the table.
Third-year coach Shannon Henwood – nephew of Steve – insists there is only one destination that will satisfy his club’s desire.
“We’ve recruited well so there are no excuses; I’ve told the boys that our expectation is to at least play finals,” the three-time best and fairest winner said.
Recruited well… that could be an early contender for the year’s biggest understatement because the Doves have added some real cream to their crop.
At the top of the list is powerhouse ruckman Russell Gabriel, the about to turn 26-year-old who has played at the elite level for the best part of a decade. Gabriel played two seasons with the Dandenong Stingrays and was captain in 2007, played with Frankston in 2008, before winning a Norm Walker Medal at Doveton in 2009.
He has played four of the last five seasons at Frankston, interspersed with a year at East Fremantle in 2012.
The Doves have further cured their biggest deficiency from last season – height – with the return of former AFL-listed player Jarrad Boumann from Wangaratta Rovers, the recruitment of 196-centimetre (six foot five inches in old money) Mitch Davies from Nilma-Darnum and the return of club stalwart Nathan Wilson from Doveton Eagles.
Henwood can’t wait to put that size to good use.
“Last season, apart from Frankie (D’Agostino), we had no size,” he said.
“This year we’re spoilt for size, with two dominant ruckman and some key-position players to kick to.
“Last year we were very defensively minded, and it needed to be that way, but we’ll take it on a bit more this year.
“Obviously defence will still be important but we’ve got the players, the talls, to go the other way now.”
The influx at Robinson Oval doesn’t stop there with 2005 premiership player Keith Dobson joining Peter Dye, Malis Lokeron and Nick Battle as new faces from last season. Callum Pattie will pull on the boots after a year in the coach’s box, where he’ll be replaced by former Nyora ruckman Peter Greenstreet.
Henwood, who has carried the Doves’ midfield for the last few seasons, will also enjoy the company of former Oakleigh Chargers and Port Melbourne player, Sam Raru.
“He’s an inside player, tough around the clinches, but has the polish to finish off his work and kick goals,” Henwood said.
“Mitch Viney and Pickles (Michael Henry) are two others that are coming in injury free for the first time in a while so we’re pretty well covered in the middle of the ground.”
Henwood will stand down as captain of the club this season with Henry and Pattie taking on dual responsibility with D’Agostino as their deputy.
The Doves kick off the SEFNL season with a Good Friday visit to Hampton Park.
