Wimmera football star Ash Clugston has boosted Jeparit-Rainbow's hopes of a successful season in the Horsham District football league, rejoining the Storm after a season at Dimboola.
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Clugston, who has previously won best and fairests at both clubs, was a pivotal player for Dimboola in the Wimmera Football League last season, named the side's best on five occasions.
He will be joined by Adam Schulz in returning to the Storm, after Schulz spent 2019 with the Warrack Eagles.
Jeparit-Rainbow coach Dan Batson said he was pleased to have the talented duo rejoin the Storm.
"Getting home grown talent returning to the club is always a big boost," Batson said.
"(Clugston) played half injured at Dimboola last year and still had a pretty big impact out there, so we're definitely hoping we can look after him a bit and see him playing some good footy for us."
Batson, who played alongside the returning duo at Jeparit-Rainbow in 2018, said there would likely be some injury management for the two.
"Ash is definitely one of those players where he doesn't leave anything in the tank every time he goes out there," Batson said.
"We'll try to be a bit smarter with him this year to try and get the best out of him."
Batson said Schulz would add leadership to the back six.
"He was at full back my first year at the club and had some great performances, a few best on grounds," Batson said.
"He's another leader in the team to add a bit more experience to our back six. It was already pretty good back there, but it's great to have another body to throw in the mix."
Meanwhile Batson's brother Wayne has departed, opting not to travel back from Adelaide for a third season with the Storm.
Batson said he was hopeful of securing several more signings before the start of the season.
"We're still looking to add those last couple of blokes to put us over the top, to compliment what we've got and set us up with a lot better depth," he said.
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