One of the best midfielders in the game during the past decade will pull on the red and blue of Hepburn this season.
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Former St Kilda and North Melbourne star Nick Dal Santo is set to play at least one game for the Burras in 2017, but is expected to feature in other Central Highlands Football League fixtures this campaign.
Hepburn coach Jason Olver said the luring of Dal Santo had come about through the recruitment of his cousin Luke Stanton, who has joined Hepburn from Northern league side Greensborough.
Stanton, a tall utility, was picked up by Carlton in the 2008 rookie draft, but never played an AFL game for the Blues.
Olver said Dal Santo has been locked in for the round eight home clash with Beaufort on Saturday, June 3, but is planning for him to pull on the Hepburn jumper in other matches – including a possible appearance in finals – when his work commitments permit.
Dal Santo will feature for various media outlets this year, including radio station SEN and television channel Fox Footy.
Olver said the 33-year-old has a connection to the region, with his parents formerly owning a holiday house in Hepburn.
“All the stars are aligning and hopefully we can get him on board for a few more than what we expect at the moment,” Olver told The Courier.
Olver hopes Dal Santo will be able to train with the Burras in the coming weeks.
“He actually wants to do the right thing and get to know the boys and get to know the club and just enjoy country footy again,” he said.
Dal Santo was drafted to St Kilda in 2001 and played 260 games for the Saints between 2002 and 2013, including three losing grand finals.
He was then picked up by North Melbourne in 2014 and spent three years with the Kangaroos before retiring at the end of last season.
In total, Dal Santo played 322 AFL games and finished his career as a three-time All-Australian.
Olver is now in his second year in charge after taking the senior team to the preliminary finals in 2016.
Hepburn will open its new campaign with a clash against Newlyn on Saturday, April 1.