While some teams in the Bendigo Football League have added some big names to their list for the coming season, Castlemaine will look to boost their list with the addition of some successful District League players.

One of them is Harcourt star midfielder Jeff McMurtrie he is tough in and under, with a touch of class and clever around goal he is one player to watch out for at Pieland this year.

Welcome to Central Vic Footy Jeff great to have your along for a chat. You’ve played in a successful era at the Harcourt Football Club, and at the conclusion of the Season I’m led to believe a number of Clubs made a play for your services. What were the key factors in your final decision to join the Castlemaine Magpies?

To improve my fitness and skills and to play competitive Football, and to play with a club that can hopefully give me more of a challenge.

How have you found the Pre-Season to date? and what type of training has Paul had the group involved in so far?
I have found the pre-season to be pretty full on, and as for Paul he has had us boys doing alot of fitness and some ball skills.

What other recruits have been secured to Magpie land for the new Season?
Well there is Paul Chaplin, Joel Smith, Lochie ford, Robert Hickey, just to name a few there is still some others that I’m not sure if they have gone ahead with signing up.

What type of role has Paul earmarked you for?
I’m going to be more of a in and under on baller and he wants me to hopefully push forward and kick some goals where possible.

Many pundits in the area have Castlemaine pencilled in for another year outside the Final 5. Whats the expectations for the Season internally?
Work hard on and off the field, and if we can do that hopefully our hard work can win us games and get us to the finals, and have a better year than last year

You have played previously with Golden Square in the Bendigo Football League. Tell us a little bit about your Football background and did you play any senior football with the Bulldogs?
I played at Golden Square for about 4 years I started there in the 16 and a half’s, had 2 years playing in the 16 and a half’s, also played 3Rd’s for 1 year, then went onto playing 1 year in the 2nds and played about 6 games in the seniors for that year then left the Bulldogs to play for Harcourt.

We touched on at the start of the interview that you have been a part of the Harcourt Football Club’s most successful era. How many Premierships have you played in with the Club and how do you summarise your time at the Club?
I was grateful to play in 3 premierships for Harcourt, 1 in the reserves which I was fortunate enough to play due to me missing out on most of my season due to me tearing my quad muscle & 2 in the seniors. During my time at Harcourt I was able to win 1 club best and fairest, 2 runners up club best and fairest, and 1 best on ground in a Grand Final, and came runners up in the league in 2007. I feel my time at the club was a good success and met some good mates who I enjoyed playing with through out my time.

McMurtrie following a Harcourt Premiership victory.

Who do you nominate as some of the outstanding players that you played with in those Premiership Seasons?
Well I played with alot of outstanding players but to name a few I would have to say Chris Stone, Shaun Smith, Michael Blake, Josh Hutchison, Alan Mack, Paul Eyles.

Now I’ve seen you in action before and your pretty sharp around goal and if my information is correct you booted a bag of 11 one day for Harcourt. Tell us about that day?
The weather was good and I guess I must of had a bit of luck my way for the day as the goals kept coming.

Your still only aged 25 and have alot of Football still in front of you, what do you really aspire to achieve before your time is up on field?
Now that I have made a change in Clubs I would like to play in a Grand Final for the Bendigo League

Just before we let you go tell us a little about yourself off the field work, family, Interests?
I am a supervisor at bb truss and timber and have been there for 8 years, I have a fiance Rebecca and 3 kids( Kobei, Tarryn and Cohan), my interests are of course Football, playing Cricket, watching Collingwood play and v8 Supercars.

Well it sounds like your a busy man Jeff and I’m sure the Magpies hope you can get busy through the Pies midfield this year as they attempt to Climb the BFL ladder. All the very best for the Season.

Thanks.

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