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HUNTLY'S midfield is set for a major boost next year with the return of not only three-time Cheatley medallist Ryan Semmel, but his two brothers as well.
Semmel is the only player in Heathcote District league history to have won three Cheatley medals, having done so with the Hawks in 2018, 2016 and 2013.
He spent this year at Mordialloc in the Southern league, winning the club best and fairest, but he will be back with the Hawks in 2020.
Also at the Hawks in 2020 will be Semmel's brothers, Jake and Luke. Jake played this year with Murrumbeena, while Luke had the year off recovering from a knee injury.
The Hawks' recruiting also includes the return of key forward Chris Gleeson, plus the addition of Eaglehawk premiership defender Tyler Miles as assistant coach.
"We're certainly very happy that we've got the three Semmel boys and Chris coming back down the highway," Huntly coach Stacy Fiske said on Friday.
"A few years ago we had too many players travelling from Melbourne, which makes it tough for communication and training and so forth, so we think having just the four is a good balance.
"The three Semmel boys haven't all played together since their days back at Rye, so they are looking forward to doing that again.
"The three boys will probably play similar roles for us through the midfield and across half-forward, but we're certainly adding in three A graders to the midfield, which is great."
Gleeson previously played six seasons at Huntly and kicked 283 goals.
Ryan Semmel is also a renowned goalkicker, having booted 190 in his previous six seasons at Huntly.
Meanwhile, Miles joins Huntly following seven seasons at Eaglehawk.
Defender Miles was a member of the Hawks' 2018 premiership team and was also a five-time inter-league representative during his stint at Canterbury Park.
"We're looking forward to Tyler bringing his experience to the backline," Fiske said.
"He has been in Eaglehawk's leadership group and played in a premiership, so he brings a lot of experience and talent, which will definitely strengthen our half-back line."
Having played in four-straight finals series, including two preliminary finals, season 2019 was a year of rebuild for the Hawks as they turned their focus to youth.
While the Hawks, who have appointed Tim Hawken as director of coaching, won one game and finished last, Fiske says there are plenty of positives from the year.
"I don't think where we finished reflected how well we played. We've got a lot of good young talent and we've been able to add in some more leadership," Fiske said.
Departures from the Hawks include midfielder Jack Daley (Sandhurst) and Phil Ryan (overseas).
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