PROFILE
Hay will be hoping a change of coach will bring about a change of fortune in 2023 – with the Lions investment in youth set to continue into the new season.
Following an exodus of senior players prior to last season and on the back of three consecutive under 17.5 premierships, Hay will continue their rebuild under the guidance of new senior coach Mick Cattanach – who has taken the reins from David Webb.
Cattanach, who previously coached the Lions under 17.5 team for three seasons, will be hoping to improve on Hay’s three-win, thirteen loss season in 2022 – with the hope that their strong junior teams of the past may be about to roar into life at senior level.
“There was a distinct focus on developing our youth last season and that will continue once again this year,” Cattanach said.
“At a Golden Rivers level, we’ve had really good success in the under 17s, but the focus going forward is just making sure that the young blokes who have been a part of that period of success get their opportunity at senior level and we continue to develop them.”
Helping their cause will be the return of former players Luke Arandt and ruckman Jed Perry. Arandt, who will likely play either key defence or attack, will return to his home club, having spent time with the Waratahs in the NTFL and will bring with him inside midfielder Dom Booth to help strengthen Hay’s engine room.
Booth should slot perfectly into a Lions midfield that already contains reigning Best & Fairest Brad Pocock and star on-baller Dean Aylett, along with young guns Hugh Crighton and Jensen Hargreaves.
In terms of what Hay’s best football will look like under the leadership of Cattanach, the new coach wasn’t expecting to make wholesale changes.
“Hay’s always been renowned as a tough, contested football side – we’ve always been happy to get our hands dirty and I think that will remain a part of who we are,” Cattanach said.
“But we’re obviously a younger side and we’ll be looking for a little bit more run and spread than what we’ve had in previous years.”
FROM THE COACH
“We want to be competitive in every single game we play. I’d be disappointed, as a starting point, if we didn’t win more games than last year – on our day, we’d like to think we can beat anyone that’s put in front of us.”
KEY PLAYER
Brad Pocock
After winning Hay’s seniors Best & Fairest last season, Pocock will once again look to use his pace and class from the half back line and through the midfield in 2023. Is capable of turning a game in an instant and will once again be a key player for opposition teams to stop when playing the Lions.
INs & OUTs
INs
Luke Arandt (Waratahs – NTFL)
Dom Booth (Waratahs – NTFL)
Jed Perry
OUTs
Lachie Cohen
