Emerging tall Sam Hooper is leaving North Ballarat Roosters to try his luck with fellow VFL club Essendon.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Roosters coach Marc Greig said Hooper was making the switch in conjunction with his plans to live in Melbourne.
Hooper developed into one of North Ballarat’s most promising talls this year – playing in key defensive and attacking rolls.
He debuted for the Roosters midway through 2015 as a 23rd player after representing Vic Country at under-19 level.
Hooper, who progressed from North Ballarat Juniors to North Ballarat City in the Ballarat Football League, was a member of the VFL academy in 2015 - his first season in the competition – after playing with North Rebels in the TAC Cup.
Hooper took a major step this year, playing 15 VFL games.
Greig said it was disappointing to lose Hooper after such a promising season.
MEANWHILE, four former Bacchus Marsh juniors will have the Cobras as their home club while they pursue VFL careers next year.
Coach Travis Hodgson said Brenton Payne, Dillon Vojo-Rainbow, Jacob Wheelahan and Daniel Foley had all agreed to align with Bacchus Marsh.
He said it was great having players who had progressed through the club‘s junior ranks maintaining a link while still pursuing football at a higher level.
Payne and Vojo-Rainbow have come off AFL lists this year, while Wheelahan and Foley are looking to step up from TAC Cup ranks.
Payne has signed with the North Ballarat Roosters after being off the St Kilda rookie list, while Vojo-Rainbow has hopes of joining either Port Melbourne or Werribee after being delisted by Carlton.
Vojo-Rainbow spent two years with the Blues after being drafted at pick 28 in the 2004 national draft via the Western Jets.
Wheelahan played with North Ballarat Rebels and is training with the Roosters, with which he played one game this year.
Foley has had three seasons with the Western Jets - this year as an over-age player - and is looking to playing with Werribee.
Hodgson said it did not matter many games they played with Bacchus Marsh.
“Any game will be a bonus.
“It’s great to have them part of the club,” he said.
Bacchus Marsh also attracted another former junior Ryley Stuhldreier back to the club after two years with South Barwon.
