New signings continue to roll in at Taylors Lake ahead of the 2019 Horsham District Football Netball League season.
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The Lakers have acquired several more players in addition to a handful of signings already announced earlier in the off-season, as new head coach Brandon Weatherson continues to reinvigorate the club after several down years.
Weatherson said some early signings made it easier to attract players to the club.
“We’ve been pretty lucky in that regard,” he said.
“After getting a few signings early a few people were convinced we weren’t going to keep getting smashed by 100 points every week, so it was a bit easier to get blokes on board and convince them to come and play for us.”
Headlining the signings are Wimmera Football league players Jesse Hatcher from Minyip-Murtoa and Andrew Phelan from the Southern Mallee Giants.
Weatherson was particularly excited about Hatcher, who has struggled with injury the last few seasons and played only two games in 2018 but is a talented footballer when fully fit.
“He hurt his knee a couple of years ago and has struggled a bit, but before that he was really good,” Weatherson said.
“He’s indicated he’s keen to get fit and have a red hot crack.”
Phelan also comes across from the Wimmera league.The youngster played four senior games with the Southern Mallee Giants in 2018 and eight in the reserves.
The club has also acquired the services of Western Australian footballer Chris Griffiths Jnr and Gippsland’s Ricky Howard, who were attracted to the club via their friendship with fellow signing Kirsten Hunter.
Both players have some exciting pedigree. Howard played two games in the TAC Cup for Gippsland Power last season, while Griffiths Jnr has played in the Kimberley Football League and spent time with Swan Districts in the WAFL.
Weatherson admitted he could not be too positive about the signings having not seen them play, but was confident they would both be handy acquisitions.
Key position player Jordan Morse has also joined the club after playing junior football in the Maryborough Castlemaine District Football League.