When it comes to reliability, the first player listed on Luke Monaghan’s coaching board is Glenn Daly.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Rarely beaten and efficient with the ball, the hard-working backman has been a pillar of the Hawks’ back six in recent years.
Daly lines up for his 200th club game on Saturday – 110 in the seniors and 90 in the reserves.
He’s the only player in Eaglehawk’s proud history to win the Ilsley Medal, Williams Medal and Thompson Medal which are awarded to the senior, reserves and under-18 best and fairest winners.
“When I started coaching the club, Glenn had only played a handful of senior games and was mainly playing in the reserves,’’ Monaghan said.
“He was one of the first guys I spoke to about taking that extra step and becoming a senior footballers.
“He hasn’t played a reserves game since. He’s been brilliant for the club… he’s reliable sitting across half-back and he can play multiple roles.
“One game last year a small forward was giving us trouble and had kicked seven goals in the first half.
“We moved Glenn on to him in the second half and he only had two kicks.
“That’s the sort of ability he has. Glenn can kick equally as well on both sides of his body and makes good decisions.
“He doesn’t like pre-season training, but once the season rolls around he’s a certain starter.”
Daly’s milestone game is against a Maryborough side reeling from a 208-point loss to Sandhurst at the QEO.
“History shows that Eaglehawk has gone across to Maryborough with some very good teams and lost,’’ Monaghan said.
“Maryborough always play well against us. They seem to match up well with us.
“The way we’re playing, and the position we’re in after two games, we can’t afford to take any opponent lightly.
“There’s also that internal pressure on the boys to perform well and keep their spot in the side.”
The Hawks have been strengthened by the return of key midfielder Brodie Collins from concussion.
Maryborough has named a stronger side this week, with Coby Perry back in the Magpies 22.
Perry is back in Magpies’ colours after making his VFL debut for North Ballarat against Geelong last weekend.
Perry’s return to BFNL action is also a bonus for newly appointed inter-league coach Brett Fitzpatrick, with the young Magpie gun a strong chance to earn selection for next month’s clash with Gippsland should he not play too many games at VFL level.