Tara Murray
Hillside has strengthened its stocks for next year’s Essendon District Football League women’s premier division season.
The Sharks claimed the minor premiership this year before a straight sets exit at the hands of Oak Park and Aberfeldie.
With some unavailabilities, the Sharks struggled a bit with some depth.
Coach Blaise Ferraro said it was exciting to add in some new faces.
“We’ve got a couple of new players, which is pretty good,” he said. “They have a couple of friends playing in the team and have played Nations Cup with some of the girls.
“They are looking to step up to the next level.”
Nicolette Paschalis joins the Sharks from Greenvale where she played senior football the last two seasons, playing through the midfield and up forward kicking, more than 50 goals and was named in the forward pocket in the 2023 division 1 team of the year.
Airport West best and fairest winner Natasha Campbell has also joined the club.
Campbell finished fourth in the league count and has made multiple teams of the year nominations.
In a big plus for the Sharks, they are hopeful of having Ash Thorneycroft a bit more next year.
Thorneycroft played three games at the back of this year due to Victorian Football League women’s commitments.
She’s stepped back from playing VFLW, but has taken on a midfield coaching development role.
Ferraro said it would be nice to have her playing for them more often.
“She will be huge with her experience,” he said. “She played a couple of games this year and she was shoulders above.
“It’s good to have that sort of experience as it hurt us at the back end of last season.”
The Sharks have also signed Danica Pedersen for next season.
Pedersen, who is coming back from injury, is still on Williamstown’s VFLW list.
Ferraro said they didn’t expect to see much of her due to VFLW commitments.
Off field, the Sharks have added Chris Daley to their coaching ranks.
Daley coached the Sharks men’s side to a semi final this year.
“He wanted a bit less commitment and still wanted to be involved,” Ferraro said. “He knows the girls already.
“It’s good to have so many people who want to give up their time.”
Ferraro, who was premier women’s coach of the year, said the group was keen to build on what they did this year, when they were the most improved team.
He said they were further ahead of where they were 12 months ago.
“It has been really good,” he said. “We had a bitter end to last year, but they’ve been really good and taken it on board.
“They are really focused. Last year was the first time they’d done a really big pre-season, so they’re way ahead.”
