The 2025 season is just around the corner so EDFL Media will be previewing each club heading into Round One. Next, we chat to Hadfield coach Andrew Beever who provides some insights on their 2025 campaign.
2024: 6th (7W, 9L, 81.84%)
Coach: Andrew Beever
PRE-SEASON FOCUS
"Our main focus has been to train like it's gameday, which we have implemented into our match sim and also our latest practice matches.
"Coming in, I did my research and asked people who knew our list what Hadfield were like to play against and my thought process has been to make our strengths even stronger. I've been really impressed with how the boys have bought into our gameday scenarios."
LIST SHAPE
"I can't take any credit for our recruiting as the job was well under way by the time I came in but if I'm honest, when I saw how the club had started recruiting it was a massive reason for jumping on board. It's not every day where you recruit key backs like Johnny Lindon and Nick Gooch.
"We've added some top end talent with guys like Michael Graham, Daniel Simpson, and Jack Slavich so I'd say we are in good shape. The kids coming through from Marae Moustafa's premiership-winning 18s are ones to watch which is exciting."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
"Jake Wheeldon is flying. He is in his second year at the club and is a culture piece, the boys love him. He has been training as a ruck with Rhys Gleisner and his toughness in the air is quite intimidating. He's already told the boys he's the Mark Blicavs of the comp so I think he's happy in his role.
"We have two young kids, Otif Moustafa and Mousa Said, who have adapted brilliantly to senior footy and showed what they are capable of.
"Our skipper Ryan Potter is fit and healthy which is a bonus."
CLUB INITIATIVES AND ACTIVITIES
"We recently had a Sunday where we got together and spoke openly about what we are, where we want to be, and building the new Hadfield culture. We had 30 guys there, it was player driven and the buy in was something I'm super proud to be a part of.
"It was great to hear different voices like Cornwell and Lucas Brown step up and drive our new standard."
2025 OUTLOOK
"We all want to play finals and to have over 35 to 40 on the track over pre-season shows the boys are keen to be as good as possible.
"As a coach of these boys, I want them to believe we can play the footy we want to and to enjoy it. If I can crystal ball it and see the boys are happy at the end of the season, then my goal is achieved."
ON THE RECORD WITH ANDREW BEEVER
Who is the unsung hero at the club?
Michael Pell bleeds Hadfield and I couldn't respect him more for what he's doing. He has been a supporter of mine from the second we first spoke on the phone.
MVP of the gym?
Jack Slavich and Johnny Lindon haven't turned up to training with a top on since they walked in the door in November!
Player most likely to become a coach one day?
I've had about 45 players tell me how we can play so there are 45 coaches in waiting.
Who has the quickest set of wheels?
One of our young kids, Mo Ali – very cheeky young boy which I love. He's told me at least 87 times that he's trained with Peter Bol and the way he runs, Peter Bol may be saying he trains with Mo.
Who’s one opposition player you’d love on your side?
I first met Northern Saints captain Anthony Petrocco when I was at Pascoe Vale. He was a great kid and I'm stoked to see him now as a young leader.
What match are you most looking forward to in 2025 and why?
I have to be honest here, Ash Flavel is one of my best mates. I couldn't be prouder of what Flav has done at West. We are both looking forward to the challenge.
Flag tip outside of Hadfield?
I will be down a mate if I don't say Westmeadows!
LODGED TRANSFERS
In: Nicholas Gooch (Barooga), James Pollard Wright (Sunbury), John Lindon, Jack Slavich, Nicholas Ciampa, John Mona, Lucas Kyriazis, Aythen Kyriazis (all Coburg Districts), Michael Graham (Taylors Lake), Daniel Simpson (Yea).
Out: Zachary Gillard (Epping), Noah Bazzano (Mernda), Jordyn Studd (Bulleen Templestowe), Stephen Parsons (Merrifield), Steven Golding (Roxburgh Park), Kyle Desira (Braybrook), Adham Taleb (Glenroy), Stephen Siale (Wyndhamvale), Abdurrahman Merhi (Northern Saints), Zein Taleb (Glenroy), Ahmed Cnoli (Reservoir).
EDFL MEDIA SAYS
Consistency was an issue for Hadfield in 2024 with some strong wins against quality opposition and some big losses the other way. The Hawks have worked to add to their top-end talent and build their depth to hopefully bridge the gap between their best and worst footy. With the likes of Sam Godden, Josh Trembearth, Rhys Gleisner, and Jake Polizzi receiving support from new recruits and burgeoning youth, you'd think the Hawks would have their eye on finals action.
Ladder Prediction: Mid-table, pushing for finals.
