mmg.com.au

Strong-bodied utility Sam Dawes is the chosen one to replace two-time premiership captain Tyson Sidebottom as the face of Goulburn Valley Football League powerhouse Shepparton United.

Dawes, 30, won a player vote against defenders Dwain Vidler and Phil Carroll to become United’s captain.

Coach Marc Quarrell announced Dawes’ appointment at the club’s Torquay training camp at the weekend.

‘‘There were a few candidates we wanted up and those three nominated and then it was up to the playing group to vote who they thought would be the best captain,’’ Quarrell said.

‘‘Sam came away with the chocolates.’’

Quarrell said Dawes, who previously served as one of his playing assistant coaches, was a ‘‘natural leader’’.

‘‘His football and leadership has improved since he came back to the club, from what I hear when he was here in the past,’’ Quarrell said.

‘‘He’s just matured a lot, grown up and he’d probably tell you that himself.

‘‘He likes being a leader around the place and he’s not just good on the field.

‘‘His preparation is the best in the side in terms of making sure he’s done all the gym work, rehab and training.’’

Dawes said it was one of the individual highlights of his football career.

‘‘This is pretty big for me, especially being captain of a footy club I love so much,’’ Dawes said.

‘‘I’ve played at a few clubs, but I call Shepp United home now. To be captain is something special I’ll look back on one day.’’

Dawes said a decision to play football in Coffs Harbour a few years back helped change him as a person and the way he approached the sport.

‘‘I was a bit wild and loose when I was younger and the best thing for me was going up to Coffs Harbour and playing footy up there,’’ he said.

‘‘No-one got paid and everyone played for the love of it, so that changed me the most.’’

Dawes said the biggest difference between him and Sidebottom was he would be more vocal off the field than the man he’s replaced.

Sidebottom crossed to Congupna this off-season.

United is also celebrating an exciting batch of recruits, with former Casey Scorpions and Bendigo Bombers midfielder Pierce Liddle the biggest addition.

Liddle, who captains Northern Territory side Palmerston, joins 19-year-old centre half-forward Tom Scott (Numurkah), forward Ty Parsons (ex-Rumbalara and Mooroopna) and on-baller Shaun Makar (former Shepparton junior and North Heidelberg) in coming to Deakin Reserve.

Midfielder Trent Freer also returned to the Demons after last season.

‘‘We’re extremely happy with the recruits we’ve got and we think we’ve covered a lot of our departures,’’ Quarrell said.

‘‘We have more depth this year in the midfield and getting Pierce late in the season is one that really capped it off.

‘‘He’ll give us a bit of x-factor out on the field and he’s extremely quick and there’s some really good hardness about him and he’s, obviously, a leader as well.’’

Quarrell said he was also delighted with the impressive bunch of under-18 graduates, including Ben Bingham, Matt Di Bella and Henry Shattock.