By Tyler Wright
South Belgrave Football Netball Club is heading into the 2024 season with two new powerhouse signings set to shake up the league.
The club announced on Friday 20 October it had signed ex-AFL player Luke Dustan.
The midfielder played 121 games for the St Kilda Football Club and most recently the Melbourne Football Club.
Dunstan, who retired from the elite level in 2023 after suffering a season ending ACL injury, was pick 18 in the 2013 national draft.
South Belgrave Football Netball Club president Chris Huglin said the organisation is “very excited” to have a former elite football player coaching and developing the club’s midfield.
“He’s also taken up the development role; he’s going to assist player pathways and junior coaches,” Huglin said.
“He’s coming up with an injury; he isn’t fine to play, he’s fine to coach.
“There’s a whole football network out there…our past coach Luke Galliott, who’s coached us to two flags, [has] been a driving force recruiting people to the club; not just players, but coaches, and he’s been a vital key in this development as well.”
Successful former Lysterfield Junior Football Club coach Damien Newcombe will take the reins at South Belgrave as the under 19.5s coach, the club also announced recently.
“He’s had success with the premier side of Lysterfield on his way through, so he knows what he’s about,” Huglin said.
“He’s a very impressive individual…[and] he’s got great communication with the kids.”
Newcombe’s son, Kade, made his seniors debut at South Belgrave Football Club in 2023, which drew him to the club, Huglin said.
“He settled in well, he acclimatised within the walls and wanted to be a part, and we were more than happy to sit down and have that conversation with him,” he said.
After the senior team moved from to the Eastern Football Netball League’s Division One in 2023 after a Divison Two premiership win in 2022, Huglin said he knew it would be a “very competitive” season.
“We had a really good home and away season where we went through undefeated,” he said.
“Unfortunately, in the [2023] grand final, Mitcham played the game of the year and had us covered for the game.”
“We’ll learn from that – we’ve just got to strive to be that little bit better, come the right time of the year.”
Huglin said while new signings have revitalised the club, there is already a formula in place for the club’s success.
“With change comes a new environment and a new decision-making process,” he said.
“[New senior coach] Heath Black will bring in his style and what he expects, he’ll have his minimum expectations.”
