Heathcote have landed a major scoop leading into the HDFL Season with the prize signing of former Fitzroy and North Melbourne player Anthony Mellington.
Despite being set to turn 36 in July, Mellington promises to be amongst the biggest starts of the 2010 HDFL Season with his athleticism and exciting marking for the Reigning Premiers.
Happy Days! Anthony Mellington celebrates Tocumwals 2009 Premiership victory.
Heathcote Coach Brent Chapman who was the driving force in attracting Mellington to Barrack Reserve having played alongside him at the Shepparton Bears is estatic to have the ace onboard ‘’ To get a player of Mels quality is fantastic, he will be a great leader for the Club with his experience at league level and he was a role model for me when I was at Shepparton so it’s very exciting for the Club’’.
Mellington played 44 AFL Matches, starting with the Fitzroy in 1995 and he finishing his league career at the age of 24 in the Season of 1999. He biggest moment at the elite level came with a brilliant 6 goal display which led Fitzroy to their last ever victory in 1996 over the Fremantle Dockers at Whitten Oval.
A key defender has been at the top of the Saints shopping list in recent weeks to round of their recruiting campaign ‘’Yeah he will fill that key defensive role that we’ve been looking to fill so he will be great for that, but he has also kicked over 100 goals in a Season in the GVFL so he definitely has the ability to push forward and be a focal if we need him to be’’.
Chapman who started his Coaching tenture with the Saints well behind the eight ball with a host of Premiership stars already departed, has worked overtime to ensure depth of talent on the list ‘’ I’m really happy with what we have got, we have picked up a number of quality players who will be assets for the Club, and we think we’re pretty well prepared now for the Season ahead’’.
Mellington will join the Saints fresh from a Premiership with Murray League Club Tocumwal where the veteran turned in a match Best on Ground display in an epic Season decider. Mellington took an estimated 20 marks in the back half for Tocumwal as they hung on for grim life to defeat Moama by 6 points. The Saints newest addition trained strongly with the playing group at Barrack Reserve last night.
His inclusion is set to ensure the Club hits the Back to Back campaign with some real spring in their step.The veterans addition adds to the Shepparton flavour at Heathcote this Season with midfielder Nathan Jones and silky skilled half forward Simon Thorsen also former Bears players.
An Intra Club Match this Friday night at Barrack Reserve followed by Practice Matches against Wallan ( March 13th) and Diamond Creek (March 21st) will provide the path way into a blockbuster opening round clash the LBU Cats.
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