BFL: North Ballarat City signs VFL player Hobbs

FORMER North Ballarat Rebel Ryan Hobbs will return to Eureka Stadium for the 2011 season.Hobbs has signed with Ballarat Football League club North Ballarat City.The key position player brings two years’ experience with Frankston in the Victorian Football League. A broken leg sidelined Hobbs for the bulk of the Dolphins’ 2010 campaign after a solid debut season in 2009 with seven VFL senior and 11 reserves matches.Hobbs, 21, played his junior football with Horsham District club Harrow-Balmoral before playing 17 games for the Rebels in 2007-08.Melbourne-based Hobbs wanted to bring his game closer to his family again and opted to suit-up with City, where he already had friends.North Ballarat City president Steve Darbin said Hobbs, 196-centimetres tall, was a handy recruit for the club.“He adds some structure and height,” Darbin said.“Everyone needs good key position players and we look forward to having him on board.”Darbin said the club’s recruiting was on track and the list was shaping up well this summer.City announced last month an influx of North Ballarat Roosters’ VFL experience in Ayden and Tyler George, Simon McCartin, Michael Todd and Ryan Luke.All five are former North Ballarat juniors.Ayden and Tyler George join brother Keenan at City while McCartin and Todd have dropped back after injury-plagued seasons with the Roosters.