The Addy's top 50 ranked HDFNL players of season 2021 - consistent Craig takes out No.1 spot

LOCKINGTON-Bamawm United's push to remain the Heathcote District league's benchmark side next year has begun with the addition of Eaglehawk premiership player Riley McIvor.

McIvor was a member of the Hawks' 2018 premiership side along with Brodie Collins, Ben McPhee, Jesse Collins and Lachlan Atherton, who were all part of the dominant LBU team that was undefeated in the shortened HDFNL season this year with an average winning margin of 92 points from its 12 games.

McIvor is joining the Cats after playing more than 100 senior games in the Bendigo league with the Hawks.

"Riley is a good addition for us. He's one of those players who is versatile in that he can play anywhere and has played some good Bendigo league senior football for Eaglehawk over the years," Cats coach Brodie Collins said on Sunday.

"There will be some games where he will be best suited to the midfield, there will be others where he will be best suited across half-forward of half-back; it's good to be able to have that flexibility.

"I think Riley is looking forward to a bit of a change and a new environment, so we're rapt to have him.

"He adds a bit more hardness to our side and he's a really good bloke off the field as well."

As well as McIvor signing, the Cats also have Charlie Hinks returning to the club after he spent this year playing with Macorna.

"Charlie is a young fella who we could play either half-forward or half-back and is a player with a lot of talent," Collins said.

"He's 21 and in that age bracket that we don't have a lot of, so it's good to have him back."

While the Cats have two additions to their "minor premiership" team of 2021, they have one significant departure with star defender Tom Holman returning to Kyabram.

The Cats held their best and fairest count last week, with ruckman Tyler Phillips taking out the senior award to go alongside the HDFNL Cheatley Medal he also won this year.

"Tyler has obviously had a really good year; he has worked hard and it was good to see him get some reward for his effort," Collins said.

"He took on the challenge every week and the big benefit of him is that while he might not be the best tap ruckman, what he does do around the ground basically makes him a six-foot-six on-baller.

"He's a really dominant player around the ground... he chases hard, he's always leading and presenting and he can take a big pack mark when he needs to.

"Still being a young player (22) the more senior football he plays and the stronger he gets in his own capabilities, he's only going to keep getting better.

"His best footy is still ahead of him and the challenge for him now is to take that next step of becoming an Aaron Sandilands-type player of a dominant tap ruckman to complement the work that he does around the ground for us."

18 - Tyler Phillips

(LBU)

17 - Sam Kerridge

(White Hills)

15 - Lochlan Sirett

(Colbinabbin)

13 - Ryan Semmel

(Huntly)

11 - Aarryn Craig

(North Bendigo)

11 - Ben Southam

(Colbinabbin)

11 - Billy Mahony

(Mount Pleasant)

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