STAR midfielder Doug Thomas is desperate to win his first premiership and is hoping that can be with his new club, Huntly.
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Thomas has signed with the Hawks for 2018 – joining a club that is also yet to taste premiership success in the Heathcote District league.
In signing with Huntly, Thomas is reuniting with his former coach Denis Grinton, who he previously played under for two seasons at Mitiamo in 2015 and 2016 in the Loddon Valley league.
Thomas, 31, lost grand finals to Bridgewater in both his seasons at Mitiamo, while he was also runner-up in the Harding Medal in both years.
RELATED – GRINTON RETURNING TO HELM AT HUNTLY
“I thought I owed it to Grints to play under him again, so I’m looking forward to Huntly and trying to get what everyone wants before they retire (a premiership),” said Thomas, who played at Caroline Springs this year.
“Anywhere you’re playing with quality players it makes it easier to fit in and it seems like there’s already a really good combination at Huntly, so hopefully, I can help out.”
With Thomas signing, the Hawks – who have bowed out in the past two preliminary finals – will boast three of the HDFL’s premier on-ballers, along with Ryan Semmel and Harry Whittle.
“We’ve targeted Dougie as a hard, tough inside midfielder, but he can also get on the outside and do some damage. He’s a quality player and quality person and it’s very exciting for the club to have him on board,” new Hawks coach Grinton said.
“Players of his quality are very rare to come by.”
Another of Thomas’ former Mitiamo team-mates, Simon Collis, is also joining the Hawks following a year at Stanhope as an assistant coach.
“Simon is a crumbing forward who can also go through the midfield,” Grinton said.
“Like Dougie, we’re expecting a big year out of him.”