• TA: Welcome to Central Vic Footy Simon.2008 is set to be a year of transition for yourself as you return to your home club of Huntly after stints at Ingelwood and South Bendigo. How has it been to be back with the Hawks?

SA: I’m very excited to be back at Huntly it’s a good feel to be back with the mates I played junior footy with and hopefully we an have some success. 

• TA: Your days at South including playing  good football in the seniors finals campaign of 2005 where the Bloods won 2 finals.The past two seasons have been more of a battle being on the fringe of the senior team.How do you summarise your time with the South Bendigo Bloods?

SA: It was a great experience I found it to be a good club. I had some knee dramas the past two seasons and needed to get a scrape. I was frustrated at times but it was great to be a part of the Reserves Premiership teams.2004 was my first year there and I was really fit and I came 5^th in the Best & Fairest that year while the year after under Danny O’Bree was good as we worked our way up the ladder to be beaten in a tight preliminary final against Eaglehawk. 

• TA: Back to the HDFL Hawks their lack of success has been well documented in the past and this year would appear very important for the future of the club would you agree?

Yer. One of the reasons to go back was to go back with mates and help them out because we didn’t want to wait to see them go under. 

• TA: Tell us about some of the Hawks recruits and why the boys from Diesel Trickey Oval can be competitive in ‘08’.

Beau Shiels is a quality on baller who could also play anywhere on the ground. Brett Long who is Chris Longs brother appears a likely type who could play a number of roles. The Berriman brothers will add some experience and the word is there could be a couple more additions with University students coming to town. 

• TA: What role is new coach Shane Hamilton likely to use you in?

SA:I asked him and he said a midfield role could be a possibility so that would be alright and I also wouldn’t mind floating across half forward. I’m keen for a bit of change after playing mainly in defence throughout my footy. When we play Colbo I wouldn’t mind playing anywhere Nick Knight( ex-south team mates) is as there has been a bit banter of leading into the season between us two. 

• TA: 2002 was the last time you wore the brown and gold, you pipped Gavin Exell for the Best & Fairest and it was also the last time Huntly won multiple games. Was the Best & Fairest your highlight in your time with the Hawks?

SA: Playing finals under Dennis Grinton was probably the highlight he was the best coach I’ve played under and we finished 4^th that year (2001) but we had the potential to go much further. The Best & Fairest was a good achievement though and it was pretty exciting on the night because I won with the last vote card. 

• TA: In my time at South Bendigo with you I noticed that you were a pretty ordinary dancer, gave racing tips that would lead to a man living off bread and water and that you fancied yourself at tennis. What are your other interests?

Well time for a plug I have my own business Austin Airconditioning and Plumbing which takes up for a fair bit of time. I have a wife Lauren and I don’t get out much so when I do I make the best of it!!

 

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