Stribling was recruited by Fremantle with pick 67 in the 2004 AFL National Draft.

He spent two years on the Dockers’ list without playing an AFL game, before playing more than 100 SANFL games through stints at North Adelaide and South Adelaide.

Stribling, fresh from winning the Adelaide Plains Football League best and fairest this season, will join the Cougars alongside Hamley Bridge team-mates Ash Duncan and Valor Thach.

Ruckman Seb Guilhaus, who played for the Cougars in 2012, will return to Kaniva-Leeor United after stints with SANFL club Central Districts and NEAFL club Northern Territory Thunder.

Cougars president Jonno Hicks said he was rapt to have the quartet on board for next year’s Kowree-Naracoorte-Tatiara Football League campaign.

‘‘We’re really keen for success,’’ he said.

‘‘We had a great season last year with all four teams playing finals and we’re looking forward to having another really good year.

‘‘Our recruiting manager Haydn Kuchel has done a fantastic job attracting guys to the club – he’s driven it all.

‘‘They come with fair wraps.’’

Stribling, Duncan and Thach all tasted premiership success with Adelaide Plains league’s Hamley Bridge last season.

The Cougars were knocked out of the Kowree-Naracoorte-Tatiara finals series in an elimination final against Bordertown after finishing fourth on the ladder.

Mr Hicks said retaining a number of key players was equally important to the Cougars’ chances of pushing deeper into finals action under second-year coach Neil Reeve next season.

‘‘Our best and fairest winner Dylan Williams and runner-up James Turner are both staying, along with about five other players.’’

However midfielder Paul Adlington, a multiple Wimmera league premiership player with Horsham, will leave the Cougars.

‘‘We’re disappointed to lose Paul, who’s played with us for a couple of years,’’ Mr Hicks said.

Mr Hicks, who was the Cougars’ captain in 2014, is currently recovering from a broken leg suffered late in the season.