Hillside coach Steve Burns knows there is no easing into the Essendon District Football League’s division 1 competition.
The Sharks have a monster first month in which they will take on premiership contenders Craigieburn and Westmeadows and perennial finalists Taylors Lakes and Oak Park.
Burns, in his second season at the Sharks, says his players understand that only their best will get the job done against the competition’s elite teams.
“I think the club is on the right path,” he said. “We have a really good list, though it’s hard to compare it to other clubs yet … and those clubs look like they’ve recruited really well, too.”
Burns says the first month is going to be “a really tough ask”.
“But at our best, we are capable of beating them all,” he said. “If we’re not at our best then we’re capable of losing all four as well.”
Since finishing in eighth position last year, Hillside has worked hard in the off season to bring in experienced players.
The Sharks have signed Thomas Drake from West Coburg and Mohamed Taleb from the Northern Saints. Both have previously played in division 1 premierships.
“You never knock back a premiership player, especially when they’ve won a flag in this division,” Burns said.
“They’ve come in and tried to set some training standards, which is good.
“Our guys already trained well anyway, but it does help when you’ve got guys who are keen to get out there and do the work on the track.”
Also signing at Hillside are Andrew Papazoglou from the Northern Territory Football League, Riza Gashi from St Albans and Jordan Sinclair from Melton South.
The Sharks will also unleash 12 players coming up from the under-18s, and Burns believes all will play senior football across the next two or three seasons.
Hillside’s round one match against Taylors Lakes is at Hillside Reserve this Saturday.
