WAUBRA shapes as one of the big movers and shakers in another busy CHFL pre-season.
Headlining the Roos’ list of recruits are midfielders Dean Kelly and David Edgcumbe, who join from Eastern league powerhouse Vermont.
Kelly is best known for his efforts as captain of the Oakleigh Chargers’ 2006 TAC Cup premiership team, where he was named best on ground in the grand final after booting six goals.
He arrives at Waubra with his mate Edgcumbe, who is the brother-in-law of former president Justin Mullane and brother of former Fremantle-listed player Greg.
The pair will be joined by a handful of other key inclusions, including former East Point tall Josh Discher and small onballer Steven Tung, from Lexton.
Vermont president John Selton said Kelly had spent the past few seasons with his club, playing in a losing senior grand final side last year, with Edgcumbe recruited at the start of 2012 and then going on to play in the reserves premiership.
Kelly played 21 senior matches for Vermont last season, booting 22 goals and being named in the best on six occasions, while Edgcumbe played 12 senior matches.
The Roos, which slipped from premiers to a team that was bundled out in the semi-finals last year, are now with first-year coach Jason Allen.
Allen, who has taken over the role from dual premiership coach Shane Skontra, said he was also treating defender Nick Lawrence and midfielder Nick Sullivan as recruits after both suffered serious injuries and played just a handful of games last campaign.
“We just hope to be competitive and make finals and see what happens from there,” Allen said.
Waubra will play its final practice match of the pre-season against Allen’s former club Riddell this weekend.
The Roos will then start preparing for the season-opener against Hepburn on Saturday, April 13.
tim.oconnor@fairfaxmedia.com.au
