JAMIE Sheahan says unfinished business was a major reason behind his decision to stay at Wangaratta Rovers.
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While he is yet to officially re-sign, the skilful onballer has pledged his loyalty to the Hawks, who are hoping to go one better next season after just missing out on a spot in this year’s Ovens and Murray grand final.
“I haven’t re-signed but I don’t think I’ll be going anywhere,” Sheahan, 22, said yesterday.
“I don’t want to go anywhere else, especially getting so close last season.”
Sheahan’s commitment is another piece of the jigsaw for the Hawks, who have signed star midfielder Sam Carpenter and retained highly sought-after John Pratt and prized big man Karl Norman.
Star forward Barry Hall, who booted 33 goals from his seven games and was arguably the player of the finals, is the only major departure after joining home club Broadford.
Rovers are believed to be seeking a key forward to replace Hall.
Sheahan featured in the club’s best in eight of his 14 games after the Hawks won a tug of war with VFL outfit Werribee for his services.
The Mansfield product was allowed to finish the season with Rovers after negotiating a deal with the Tigers, where he was contracted.
In a common theme reverberating from the W.J. Findlay Oval, Sheahan said losing the second semi-final to eventual premier Yarrawonga and the preliminary final to Albury had increased the club’s appetite for success.
“Not getting to the grand final was pretty disappointing,” he said.
“Obviously that’s the goal, to at least be in a position to have a crack at that premiership.
“If we keep the same core group, which we are going to do, and add a few we shouldn’t be too far away.”
Former Assumption College student Sheahan, who lives with Yarrawonga speedster Nick Lawless in Melbourne, said he was surprised by the standard of the Ovens and Murray.
“Coming from a Goulburn Valley background I was always interested in the O and M,” he said.
“I can’t see the GV being stronger than the Ovens and Murray.
“I was pretty impressed, to be honest.”