After steering the Tigers into a finals placing last season, James Hazelman takes the lead as head mentor for his second season ― but he won’t go it alone.
More than a decade after last suiting up for the club in the Picola District Football League, Dylan Flanagan returns to serve as Hazelman’s assistant for the looming season.
Flanagan’s impact won’t be restricted to coaching, either.
Known as a prolific forward, the Tigers’ new assistant has a pair of 100-plus seasons to his name and is expected to run amok and terrorise backlines from April onwards.
Flanagan spent the past three seasons at Hume Football Netball League club Billabong Crows, his last appearance for Katamatite coming in 2010 before stints at Rennie, Mulwala and Tocumwal.
His experience may prove pivotal as Katamatite seeks to go one further than 2023.
Hazelman will be fuelled with the ambition of improving on the Tigers’ sixth placing last season, steering the side into finals before being barrelled out in their elimination bout by nine goals against Jerilderie.
He had previously served as playing coach of Barooga in Murray Football League, taking over the reins at Katamatite after Jedd Wright’s departure to Shepparton Swans.
Hazelman voiced his buoyancy at retaining the role while eyeing a higher ladder position in the 2024 campaign.
“Coming into my second year of coaching the Katamatite Football Club, I can already see how the foundations we set for 2023 are following through to this season,” Hazelman said.
“We had a massive adjustment period as a club this time 12 months ago and I believe we have come out the other side in better shape, more prepared for what lies ahead.
“We’ve had great representation on the training track, which has led to faster improvements.
“It’s clear to everyone internally that if we can stay healthy and our recruits can play their part, we can climb to a top four spot.
“I’m always optimistic and can’t wait for the year ahead.”
· Katamatite’s first game of the PDFL season lands on April 6 when it takes on Katandra away from home.
