There’s a new top dog in town at St Bernard’s

There’s been an off-season of change at St Bernard’s as they embark on their 2022 William Buck Premier campaign.

Simon Caven steps down as captain after 3 years with fellow defender Mitch Hughes being voted in by teammates to take the mantle this season.

He will be ably assisted by Nathan Kazuro who remains as the vice-captain.

Hughes, a member of the 2018 Premier B Premiership team, since his senior debut in 2016, has become a regular across the St Bernard’s half-back line, and is one of the clubs nominated players to kick out from full-back.

Leadership roles are not foreign to Hughes, he was captain of the St Bernard’s under 19’s side in 2015, an area he credits to significant growth in his game, “it’s been huge, Rocky (Ianello) was huge for me and my development and lead the way across half-back” said Hughes on the For the Love of the Game podcast.

When asked by VAFA.com.au about the changing of the guard with Caven standing down, coach Paul Groves said, “what we saw once training resumed was the leadership of a number of men really come to the fore, knowing we needed a new captain.”

“Mitch’s training standards, leadership and empathy towards his mates meant that when we voted for our leaders, he was a standout for captain.”

“He has great clarity around our game style and is able to educate the others whilst leading with his on and off field behaviours” Groves continued.

While there’s a change of leaders at St Bernard’s, there’s been significant off-field change to the coaching team that took the Snowdogs to the Premier B title in 2018.

Paul Groves (Senior coach) has only managed 10 games so far after two years of interruptions, cancellations and abandonments of the VAFA seasons.

Bernie Dineen (Midfield coach) joined the club for a handful of games at the conclusion of 2021 and Asta O’Connor (Defensive coach) comes with highly rated credentials including a link to one-day being a senior coach in the AFL ranks.

The club is stepping into a new era in 2022, fielding the youngest list the club has seen in 15 years and Hughes is excited about leading the Snowdogs into the next generation.

“There’s a lot of guys coming through the 19’s, has just been massive, there’s a lot of youth, excitement and buzz.”

“I can’t wait for them to see what senior footy is like, and hoping we can show that leadership for them, like the Cavens and Bentick did for us” he said.

St Bernard’s will face off against Old Xaverians in Round 1 for the Gary McAllister Trophy at St Bernard’s College at 2pm on Saturday, April 2 – See the full fixture.