The Cobras have signed creative forward Jethro Calma-Holt from St Albans in the Geelong league just days before clearances close.

Hodgson said Calma-Holt would add another option in attack – complementing star power forward Jarrah Maksymow.

Originally from the Northern Territory, the much-travelled Calma-Holt has played with Hodgson, Maksymow and another Cobra in Dean Heta.

Calma-Holt lined up alongside Hodgson at Fitzroy Stars in the Northern Football League in 2011, Maksymow at North Albury (Ovens and Murray league) in 2013-14, and Heta at Wodonga Raiders (OMFL) in 2015.

Recruiting via the OMFL has proved to be a big winner for Hodgson in his two seasons at Bacchus Marsh.

He landed Maksymow and Damian Cupido after the start of last season, and added Heta this year. All have underlined their quality by representing the BFL in the AFL Victoria Community Championships.

“A good player in the OMFL is a good player anywhere. It’s a strong competition.”

Hodgson said he almost recruited Calma-Holt last season, but Avondale Heights persuaded him to play in the Essendon District league.

He has played just the three senior games with St Albans this year, with his last appearance being on May 10 after which he was found guilty of was found guilty of intentional rough conduct and suspended for four games.  

Calma-Holt missed the latest round with a minor calf injury, which Hodgson said was of no long-term concern.

Hodgson said the Cobras had kept their options open to adding a late recruit, with it being determined by need as well as finding the right player.

He said Calma-Holt was versatile and had been recruited to add another avenue to goal.

“He’ll draw a good defender.”

Bacchus Marsh is home to Ballarat on Saturday, but Hodgson said if Calma-Holt proved his fitness would play first-up in the reserves.