After three seasons away from the first-grade role, Brian Bertolin has been unveiled as the Hanwood coach for the 2021 season.
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Bertolin will step up to take over from Anthony Agresta, who stood down from the role after leading the club to premiership success in 2019 and runners-up in the shortened 2020 season.
With the position the club currently finds itself in, Bertolin believes it was the perfect time to jump into coaching the first-grade side.
"Obviously with Joey (Schirripa) and Andy (Gamble) back, plus the exciting thing is some of the kids that are coming through from that third-grade team we had last year and even reserve grade," he said.
"There are some really talented kids there, and the big thing will be getting them into first grade and the week in week out grind.
"Chaise Donetto, Daniel Rogato, Christopher Zappala, they are all really talented kids."
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At this stage, it appears that the only losses for the side will be Joe Catanzariti and Michael Musitano, while there will be a local returning to the mix after a few seasons away.
"Michael Bresolin looks like he might be back as well. He hasn't played for a couple of years, and he was a very good player," he said.
"There will be plenty of competition for spots which is what every coach wants."
The changes in coaching can lead to changes in game style, and for Bertolin, it will be a simple approach, he wants his side to go back to playing "a Hanwood brand of football".
"It will be about getting us to play good football and hardening up the squad a bit and not falling into the traps that we did last year," he said.
"It was a bit hard for Anthony last year with the way that the season was, and the squad was a little bit depleted.
"I have a plan and a vision of how I want us to play. I want us to look good, but it has to bring results too.
"I want us to get back to a Hanwood brand of football with a strong passing game. This year we probably have the squad there to be able to implement what we want to do. Over the next six weeks, we will start to work on that and get it moving."
Having fallen to Leeton in the grand final last season, Bertolin knows his side will have their work cut out for them once again this season.
"Leeton was probably head and shoulders above us and everyone else last year, and they will be the benchmark that we have to aim for," he said.
"It is a good target to aim for, and the boys have been training really hard with Andy in the preseason, and I think that will stand us in good stead."
Hanwood will continue their preparation for the upcoming Football Wagga season with a trial game against West Griffith, with the reserves taking the field at 1pm while first grade will kick off around 3pm at Hanwood Oval.
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