“Exciting times ahead” – Pre-season catch up with Declan Hamilton

Declan Hamilton believes there is plenty to look forward to in season 2024, with Norwood’s Senior Men’s Squad now three weeks into Pre-Season.

Hamilton – who brought up his 100th League game in 2023 – said he had already seen some good signs from new recruits and returning players since pre-season officially commenced last month.

“Pre-season is going really well, it’s been a solid couple of weeks and a great introduction back into footy,” he said.

“There’s a bit to work on off the back of last year and it’s been a hot start. I am really impressed with what I have seen early on – exciting times ahead.

“We have lots of new faces, and also familiar faces returning.

“Lordy (Alastair Lord) and Cooper Murley have returned to the club and some other recruits like Mitch O’Neill from South, Jordon Boyle (West Adelaide), and Ben Simpson from Tassie – there are some new guys that are impressing really early.

“Hopefully these guys can add to what we have been building over the past couple of years.”

Hamilton said there was a good feeling amongst the group.

“Reflecting on what this time last year looked like, there were a lot of guys coming off the highs of the Premiership and a lot of blokes delayed in their return to footy off the back of that (with injuries and surgeries), we had four or five guys that probably didn’t get back (to full training) until February-March, and by then the damage is done,” he said.

“We have a really healthy list at the moment, which is great to see – there’s a lot of blokes ready, fit and firing on day one and this gives us the opportunity to build a strong platform.

“There’s a lot of new faces, we lost a few as well and there’s a lot of young blokes ready to take the next step – it feels like a new era. I can’t wait.”

Hamilton said he was back to full training, after recovering well from his mid-season ankle injury.

“I have been able to slowly get it right over the off season, and progress to full training the week before we came back to pre-season,” he said.

“I feel good, strong and fit so I am in a good spot – I’m keen to have a big 2024.

“I haven’t missed a lot of footy (since arriving to Norwood for the 2018 season) so it was frustrating (to miss the last eight games), but it was good to help Twig (coach Jade Rawlings) on the bench and saw the game from a different lens.”

The Senior Men’s group trains at Norwood Oval on Monday and Thursday from 5:30pm.

Watch the full interview below.