ROLLING WITH THE PUNCHES: Horsham RSL Diggers' Harley Lund and Nhill's Luke Oldaker during last year's season. Picture: SAMANTHA CAMARRI
NHILL has gone above and beyond to put a disappointing 2012 Wimmera Football League behind it, signing up a number of exciting players including imposing big man Will Oakley.
The Tigers picked up the Melbourne-based gym owner, who played for Victorian Amateur Football Association side Old Geelong last season, along with work-mate and former Gippsland League player Joshua Milner to bolster their stocks for 2013. Vice-president John McLeod said he was delighted with the new signings, along with a large group of former players returning to the club.
"Will is not young, but he's about six-foot-six and he's very well built," he said.
"On-baller Nathan Merrett is coming back to the club from the Geelong Football League, as will his cousin Ricky Leyonhjelm.
"Andrew Watson will also return to the club from Jeparit-Rainbow as will Matt Jones and former best-and-fairest winner Will Kelly.
"David Harris is another former player we've picked up - he played at Kavina-Leeor last season."
Former Nhill juniors Mitch Borgelt and Jayden Fisher have both put pen to paper with the club after stints in South Australia.
McLeod said despite the large recruiting drive, the club had realistic expectations.
"We expect to improve but we don't expect to make finals or anything," he said.
"We're in a rebuilding phase so if we win more games than last season we'll be happy."
In more good news for the club, former coach Simon Brearley will stay for at least another season.
Brearley will provide plenty of experience for the young side, now coached by Darren Weavell.
Pimpinio's Sam Turmine is also a chance to cross over from the district league and suit up for Nhill.
Daniel Batson, who has moved to South Australia, will be a massive loss for the Tigers, as will Natimuk-bound Tim Friend.