Crackles is back: Greg Nash is heading home to Shepparton South next season. Picture: Megan Fisher
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Shepparton South has conducted an excellent bit of off-season wheeling and dealing, roping in three departing Goulburn Valley Suns to star in black and white next year.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
The trio – which includes former captain Greg ‘Kiwi’ Nash, premiership winner Sean Grant and ex-Shepparton enforcer Jamie De Smit – will suit up for the Southerners in the 2022 Bendigo Amateur Soccer League season.
This recent influx of experience, paired with current squad retention, has brought music to coach Rob Harmeston’s ears.
“The new boys bring quality across key positions and have experienced NPL football,” he said.
“They have all played at this level previously so will know what to expect from the start.
“Keeping our entire squad from last season together has also been fantastic.”
Both Grant and Nash know how it feels to wear the South crest. Nash first donned the stripes in the late 2000s, fast becoming one of the club’s most faithful servants before stepping into the Suns’ rank and file for six years.
Great Scot: Sean Grant is back at Shepparton South for 2022.
Photo by
Holly Curtis
Grant was a pivotal member of South’s most recent division one premiership side, netting 17 goals in 14 games during the 2017 season.
Another to boss the BASL in recent times is De Smit.
The box-to-box engine was a standout when stepping out for Shepparton in 2019, and has previously played at the state’s peak for National Premier League powers Oakleigh Cannons and Springvale White Eagles.
Suns out, guns out: Jamie De Smit will slot into the heart of South’s midfield.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
By locking in all three, Harmeston has both eyes firmly fixed on a premiership tilt next season — but acknowledges his side will have to work for it.
“We are looking to challenge the league’s top teams; signing players like this means we cannot accept anything less, and these additions will help us achieve that,” he said.
“The new boys will bring a wealth of experience playing at a higher level which I hope will result in strong leadership on the field and raising standards across training and matches — they are also fantastic people that will fit in really well with the existing group.
“Players like this don’t guarantee success, however, and we will require consistency and a huge effort from all players throughout the season.”
17°C