Inverleigh’s quest for a quick return to the GDFNL finals has received an early boost with the signing of Bell Post Hill ball magnet Boe Collins.
Coach Chris Moore has confirmed that the talented midfielder, who polled the most votes in the Whitley Medal in 2021 but was ineligible due to suspension, will move from Myers Reserve to Morton Power Oval.
“Not playing finals has helped us out in the long run,” Moore said.
“It was disappointing not to make it, but it got us on the front foot early.
“It’s been a work in progress, but we finally got his signature, and we’re super excited.
A one-time Geelong Falcon, Collins played 68 GFNL senior games during stints at Bell Park and North Shore before joining Bell Post Hill post-Covid.
He headed to Far North Queensland in 2022, where he was named in the AFL Cairns Team of the Year before returning to the Panthers for the past two seasons.
However, injury, concussion, and suspension restricted Collins to 10 games in 2024.
“It probably mirrored our season the way he went with suspension and injury, which was a theme for us as well,” Moore said.
“He’s raring to go and excited to join us, which is even better.”
Collins won’t be the only new face Inverleigh will land in the off-season, with numerous irons in the recruiting fire.
The Hawks played at 24 points in the final-round loss to Anakie and have been allocated a cap of 42 for 2025.
“We’re in talks and very close to signing multiple players,” Moore said.
“The fact that our players have been loyal for such a long time means we’ve got a lot of points available.
“We don’t need a reset, but we need a refresh with some new faces to come along on the journey.”
X: @krockfootball
