GREAT NEWS REGARDING TWO LOCAL FOOTBALLERS (Ref: 2019/3) The month of November (2018) provided DFNC supporters with more good news to celebrate when it was announced that two former Dromana players footballers, Darren Minchington and Will Hamill, had been signed by AFL clubs as outlined below. DARREN MINCHINGTON BECOMES A HAWK Darren Michington, who had played his junior football and ten Senior XVIII Grade games with DFNC, made his senior debut for St Kilda in Round: 20 in season 2013, against Hawthorn at the Docklands Stadium. In that match, Darren was on the field for 77% of game-time and collected eight disposals and booted one goal. During the next five seasons, Darren went onto to play a total of twenty-eight Senior AFL games and kick 22 goals including a bag of three goals on three occasions. After being de-listed listed by St Kilda at the end of 2018, Darren was promptly ‘snapped up’ by Hawthorn FC ; and astute judges think that the Hawk’s decision, in throwing Darren a ‘lifeline’ to continue playing AFL football, is laudable. If ‘Lady Luck’ shares the journey with Darren, there is every chance that he will take his football to a new and exciting level. All supporters at Dromana are hoping Darren can consolidate his place in the Hawks line-up during 2019 and show the football world that he fully deserved another chance to play at the top tier of Australian football. The following summary regarding Darren Minchington was published in ‘The Age’ in November 2018…. “ Hawthorn has signed delisted Saint Darren Minchington in a bid to stock their forward line with speed ahead of 2019.The 24-year-old did not play a senior game in 2018 as he battled a series of injuries and the Saints delisted him at the end of the season after 28 games with the club. Blessed with pace, Minchington joined St Kilda via the rookie list in 2011 but was unable to cement a spot in the team under Alan Richardson with his biggest tally of senior games in one season coming in 2016 when he played 13 games. Fairfax Media revealed last month that Hawthorn were interested in picking up Minchington as a delisted free agent and they did not waste any time signing him, lodging the paperwork with the AFL on the first day of the delisted free agency period. Hawthorn's national recruiting manager Mark McKenzie said they had been impressed with Minchington's form at VFL level.Hawthorn added Chad Wingard, Tom Scully and Jack Scrimshaw to their list during the trade period while losing Ryan Burton to Port Adelaide and Taylor Duryea to the Western Bulldogs. Source: ‘ The Age’ November 1st 2018.” There are several articles about Darren Minchington and his brothers on this website. Darren will join another ‘Dromana connection’, Blake Hardwick, at Hawthorn. Some readers may not be aware that Blake, who was runner-up in the Hawks’ Peter Crimmins’ Medal in 2018, is the son of former Dromana footballer Jason Hardwick. Jason, who football carved a handsome reputation at Rosebud FC as a skilful and elusive forward-rover , played 15 games with DFNC in the mid 1990’s. WILL HAMILL IS DRAFTED TO THE CROWS The other report that pleased locals in November was the news that Will Hamill, the son of former DFNC coach Steve Hamill, was drafted (at pick 30) to the Adelaide Crows FC. Will Hamill played one senior game with Dromana in 2017; and, on that day, gave a glimpse of his potential, particularly his powerful running. Following an impressive season (which also involved overcoming a serious shoulder injury) with the Stingrays, Will worked his way into ‘draft contention.’ A couple of days prior to the draft , Will was said to be one of a group of ‘young hopefuls’; and was described, by Matt Balmer of Foxsports as a ‘hidden gem.’ In the lead-up to the 2018 draft, it was mooted that the Sydney Swans were ‘more than interested’ in listing Will and his ‘resume’ looked as follows: “ Hamill has the capabilities to play anywhere on the ground, but looks most suited to playing as a defender. In defensive 50, he has the capabilities to break the lines and rebound the ball at speed. Hamill is a decent kick of the football and can mark well overhead. Was part of the Dandenong Stingrays’ TAC Cup premiership.” Source: Foxsports 23rd Novemeber 2018 However, as history shows, Adelaide FC was successful in securing Will at the draft table and as a consequence Will has been given guernsy number: 35 for the Crows in 2019. The following summary was taken from the Adelaide FC website ( 23rd November 2018) … Will Hamill Height: 185cm Weight: 72kg Position: Defender DOB: 17/11/2000 From: Dandenong Stingrays/Dromana/Vic Country BIO: A versatile defender who is also capable of playing on a wing or half forward, Hamill has flown under the radar in the lead up to this year’s draft.He is strong overhead, a good kick of the football on his preferred left foot and can break the lines and rebound the ball with a perfect blend of speed and skill. A top performer at this year’s Draft Combine, Hamill came third in the 20-metre sprint and ranked highly in the agility, vertical jump and YoYo to highlight his pace/endurance mix. Played 15 games for the Dandenong Stingrays in the TAC Cup this year, including their premiership victory, and represented Vic Country in two games in the AFL Under-18 Championships. The smooth-moving Hamill will likely be given time to develop but has tremendous upside if he can fulfil his potential.” A story regarding Will’s father, Steve, who coached the club in 2006-08 can be found on this website : http://www.dromanatigers.com.au/2018/history/hamill.pdf Note: For those readers who appreciate football trivia, there was/ is ‘another’ Will Hamill who played three AFL games with the Brisbane Lions in 2007. Will (born in 1986) was recruited from Mt Gravatt and made his AFL debut against the West Coast Eagles, in Round: 14, at the Subiaco Oval. REFERENCE & RESEARCH INFORMATION: Sources: AFL archives , DFNC Records –Tiger Talk- DFNC Handbook-Personal files. Article reference: Darren Minchington & Will Hamill (Ref: 2019/3 ) Written and researched for DFNC by: Roger Spaull –March 2019 DFNC website administrator: Graham Stelling. DFNC Secretary-Board Member. Email contacts:[email protected]. or [email protected] .