LEARMONTH has boosted its on-field experience, adding two more players with backgrounds in senior coaching.
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Paul Phillips, who led Lexton to a grand final in 2013, and ex-Natimuk coach Dylan Wright have joined the Lakies for the new campaign.
Phillips has signed as an assistant to joint coaches John Northey and Brenton Powell, with Wright expected to fill a key role as a rover.
Formerly from Dunnstown, Phillips crosses to the Lakies after three years at Lexton, where he spent two as an assistant coach before taking on the top job.
Powell is back at Learmonth after four seasons away from the Central Highlands Football League in Australia’s north.
Learmonth president Matt Hines also confirmed the return of former captain and centre half back Wade Veldhuis – who will coach the reserves – and forward John Basham to the senior squad for 2014.
The busy off-season recruiting drive looks to have the Hotondo Homes Lakies in a strong position to return to finals for the first time since 2009 after narrowly missing the playoffs last season.
Learmonth won eight games this year, but finished ninth, two points outside the top eight.
The Lakies will launch the 2014 campaign with an away trip to meet Carngham-Linton on Saturday, April 5.
