Premiers Hillside aren’t sitting on their hands having announced the signing of one of the Essendon District Football League women’s competition’s best ever players.
The Sharks, who won their first women’s premiership this season, have added a couple more pieces to the puzzle so far, led by Krissy Trang.
The three-time league best and fairest winner crosses from Burnside Heights, where she has played since the Bears came into the competition.
She is one of just two women’s players to win three league best and fairest awards.
Sharks coach Chris Daley said they were keen to chat to Trang when they heard that she was looking for a fresh start.
“Through some friendship groups it became known that she was looking to play elsewhere and play in premier division,” he said.
“We were keen to have a chat and we were able to convince her to come across. She spoke to a few clubs.
“She’s still improving her footy.”
Daley said when they heard Trang was available they were keen to have her in their team rather than playing against her with her dominating in the midfield for a number of years.
He said Trang was still keen to further her Victorian Football League women’s career as well as playing with the Sharks.
She made her debut for Williamstown this year, playing four games.
“We want to help her and push her within that program,” he said. “She is good enough [to play VFLW].
“She’s played at premier division before and when you drop down a division below it can be hard.
“She held a high standard this year, finishing runner up in the league best and fairest.
“She’s really fit and fits in well.”
Daley, who has stepped up from assistant coach this season, said he knows you’re never going to win a second premiership with the same team.
As well as announcing the signing of Trang, the Sharks have Nikita Wright returning to the side after missing this year with a knee injury.
“She has VFLW experience as well and is a strong player for us,” Daley said. “I’ve spoken to her about where she might want to play.
“She’s played mainly as a defender in the last few years. [Former coach] Blaise [Ferraro] played her forward in one of the finals last year after she had already done her knee.
“She is open to playing different roles. We won’t rush her, but she’s like a new recruit for us.”
Daley said they had re-signed 98 per cent of their side from this year in a good signing going forward.
He said they were still unsure what Ash Thorneycroft’s plans were as she pursues VFLW coaching opportunities.
“We’ll see where that lands,” he said. “Hopefully she’s in our program as a player.
“We’ll let her sort that out in her own time.”
Daley said they were still talking to a couple of other possible recruits.
He said the competition would only get stronger.
“We’re not sitting still,” he said.
