by Janine Hill

THE HINTERLAND Blues are continuing to strengthen as the club moves into its QFA Division 1 Seniors 2024 season.

President Bruce Bell said the club would field four open-age teams for the first time this year, with the Division 1 senior men’s, men’s reserves and women’s teams joined by a division four men’s team.

The Blues have made big progress over the past few years, going from a struggling club in debt and leaking players to fielding teams in Division 1 in 2023, even making the finals. This followed their promotion to division 1 last year after they clinched the division 2 grand final in 2022.

The Blues’ campaign will begin on Saturday, April 6, when they take on Mayne in a home game at the Jubilee Drive Palmwoods grounds at 2pm.

Senior men’s coach Phil Birchmore was confident that a refined line-up has strengthened the team and it has a strong season ahead of it after finishing fifth last season.

“There’s been a little bit of a changing of the guard,” Birchmore said. 

“We’ve brought in a few new players. We’ve let a few players go who were not required which has left the meat in the group.”

The club reluctantly farewelled Jacob Bakke and Xander Harrison who returned to Geelong to be closer to the families they left two years ago.

 Ben Kristelly, a former best and fairest winner for the club, and Zak Diekman, an up-and-coming defender, return this season.

Rhys Magin, who has played 30 games in the VFL and four for Essendon at AFL level, will join the Blues, following in the footsteps of his siblings Lanze and Lainee, who have both played for the club. 

Kilworth, Lawrence back in blue

Tough midfielder Dom Kilworth, part of the Blues’ 2022 premiership winning team, has committed for 2024 and goal-kicking ex-Subiaco midfielder McKenzie Lawrence will return after his 2023 season was cut short by injury.

Callum Mann, who captained the side in 2023, will share the role in 2024 with Nathan Spring, who last did it 10 years ago.

“We’re pretty excited about the players we’re heading into the season with,” Birchmore said.

The coach’s biggest concern for his players going into the season was their lack of training time on an oval during the cricket season.

The Blues women have an additional week up their sleeves as their first round game is at home on 13 April at 4.45pm, the day after the new fourth division team plays its first match against Yeronga Devils. 

After starting last year with eight players new to the game, the women’s team made the finals and, despite not being able to muster a bench, earned respect when they went down 40-21 to Pine Rivers. 

Juniors thriving

The Blues are bringing on players of the future, with what is shaping up to be enough under 9.5s for separate boys and girls teams, separate boys and girls under 11.5 and 13.5 teams, and an under 15.5 youth girls team.

• The Blues always welcome new players. Contact Trent on 0439 754 316 (juniors and women’s) or Bruce on 0438 485 487 (senior men). 

• Watch the Blues’  take on Mayne in the first home game of the season on Saturday, April 6. Reserves and senior men’s teams play at noon and 2pm as usual.

• Next Saturday, April 13, they take on Beenleigh, also at home.