THE Nhill Tigers have continued their strong off-season recruiting campaign to add a further five players to their senior list for 2018.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Simon Cave and Stephen Craig will be new to the club while former players Nick Bone, Jake Pilgrim and Mitch Dahlenburg are all set to return.
The 31-year-old Cave comes to the club as an experienced midfielder who has played will fellow recruits Ben Jones and Jesse Morano for the past couple of seasons.
Tigers football director Matt Fritsch said Cave would provide plenty of leadership around the club having captaining Marybyrnong in the Essendon District Football League in 2017.
”He's incredibly team minded and will lead our midfield,” he said.
Stephen Craig comes the club from Kybybolite in the Kowree-Naracoorte-Tatiara Football League and will likely fill a utility role within the team.
The 23-year-old has previously had experience playing under-18 and reserve’s football for Glenelg in South Australian National Football League.
"Stephen has a really mature mindset and is going to be another solid on-field leader,” Fritsch said.
Nick joins his brother, head coach Tim Bone, back at Nhill for 2018. The experienced 31-year-old defender was most recently in the Central Highlands Football League for Learmonth.
Fritsch said he expected Nick could fill a variety of roles but would most likely settle down back.
Pilgrim has spent the past two season with Kalkee in Horsham District league and returns to the club as an improved 22-year-old defender.
"We are really excited to get Jake back this season,” Fritsch said.
“He's a tough defender with interleague experience. It will excite a lot of members to see him line up with his brother Lochie."
Dahlenburg last played for the club in 2016 having spent 2017 with Kangaroo Flats in the Bendigo Football League.
"Mitch had predominantly played forward with us in the past however he's really worked on his defensive game over the last 12 months which will add to our versatility,” Fritsch said.
“Mitch has really great character and will be great to have back around the club"
The club has also re-signed Jake Harrap and Jordan Zeitz for a their fourth seasons.
“It's a huge commitment these guys have made to our club and we hope to re-pay them with some success,” Fritsch said.
"We've had a real shift in our recruiting strategy after we met with our players at the end of last season.
They signalled a need for more bigger bodies, experience and on-field leaders.
We're really happy with where our players are at with their fitness; Alan Bennett has passed on a disciplined and committed group."
