The 2026 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 2026 campaign.
2025: 6th (8W, 10L, 100.82%)
Coach: Andrew Beever
PRE-SEASON FOCUS
"As the season went on last year, we started to develop how we wanted to play and that has been the focus all pre-season, plus a few KPIs which everyone has bought into.
"It's exciting for our club to have eight or nine of our Under 18s coming through who have been a part of a very successful period for that program, so we need to merge how they enjoy playing with our system.
"We were in a lot of games last year but didn't get the job done. We've worked on that, both scenario based and definitely fitness based. I'm very fortunate to have been able to bring Josh Polizzi in as a senior assistant who has been fantastic at bringing some fresh ideas in."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
"You will see kids like Mousa Said and Samir Mohammed play more senior footy. Dawoud Said is 17, never played seniors but looks like a 200-gamer already.
"Stevey Mihelakos comes in from Braybrook and will add goals, and we are extremely fortunate to have signed Nick Morda from Burnside who I was a big fan of. Nick comes in and is almost the cream on top of a backline unit that I am very confident in looking after us.
"One of the boys who I'm just stoked with is Jake Wheeldon. Wheels went into the ruck last season after the Northern Saints game where changes needed to be made and immediately had impact as he relished becoming our number one ruck and he hasn't looked back. He's gone into this pre-season full of confidence.
"We are well into match sim now and that's when Sam Godden gets going. He is a man possessed when it comes to game time. He's looking to improve on last season after averaging over 30-odd touches to get at least one vote in the league Best and Fairest!"
2026 OUTLOOK
"We want to win every game, everyone does, but I have been very clear that we need to play the kids, these 17, 18, 19-year-olds are fantastic. We drip fed a few in last year but you will see a lot more of them this year."
ON THE RECORD WITH ANDREW BEEVER
Biggest pest at the club?
There is a bit of a Rat Pack at Hadfield and unfortunately Harry O'Kelly has been recruited. Harry gets quite chirpy to the coach after a couple of Sav Blancs and a mid strength!
What are your favourite qualities in players you coach?
A good person, a person who buys into the club, a person who puts Hadfield first. I think we have a full list of those sort of guys in 2026.
Hardest opposition player to coach against?
I've known Jamie Grant from Roxburgh Park for a long time now, he's a mate. He's told me he plays down back similar to Tom Stewart so it looks like I will have to put some time into Mosh!
Kitey gave us a spray mid game last year that we couldn't stop him, so he will need some work also.
Flag tip outside of Hadfield?
We had a player that was leaving last year for Coburg Districts, his reason for leaving was he wanted to play in a flag, so we have to say Coburg Districts.
LODGED TRANSFERS
In: Lachlan McKean (Alexandra Hills), Stephen Mihelakos-James (Braybrook), James Nader (Glenroy), Nick Morda (Burnside Heights), George Abdallah (Glenroy).
Out: Otif Moustafa (Coburg Districts), Talat Moustafa (Coburg Districts), Mahammed Ali (West Coburg), Mohammed Saad (Glenroy), Brandon Poulter (Ocean Grove), Zain Hamka (Pascoe Vale), Adam Moustafa (Glenroy), Ahmed Elbaba (Coburg Districts), Bilal Moustafa (Coburg Districts), Richard Ahmad (Merrifield), Rhys Gleisner (Westmeadows).
EDFL MEDIA SAYS
Hadfield finished the 2025 season as one of the most in-form teams, but a slow start cost the Hawks a look at finals. Coach Andrew Beever and the playing group would've taken confidence from winning five of the last six games into pre-season, knowing their best was good enough last year. The challenge will be to apply that on a more consistent basis in what's shaping up as another competitive Division Two competition. Senior experience has gone in and out of the side, but if the youth can make an impact like Beever forecasts, the Hawks will be an exciting watch early on.
