Bungaree’s premiership-winning captain Joel Mahar will return to play for the Demons in 2018.
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Mahar has been travelling since the club won the 2014 Central Highlands Football League flag and shapes as a major inclusion for the upcoming campaign.
The 27-year-old is a past league runner-up best and fairest and will boost the senior side’s midfield options.
He returns from a stint with the Collie Eagles in Western Australia, where he played in a losing grand final and picked up a club best and fairest award.
The speedy onballer also represented the South West Football League in a representative carnival, where he made the all-star squad.
Mahar played a handful of games for the Demons early last season, but is back in a full-time capacity for what will be coach Heath Pyke’s fourth year at the helm.
Pyke took over from Greg Middleton as senior coach following the 2014 grand final victory against Springbank.
Mahar will return alongside premiership-winning teammate Scott Mann.
Mann required a knee reconstruction while playing for Bungaree in 2016 before moving back to Loddon Valley league side Pyramid Hill. He has requested a clearance back from that club.
Both Mann and Mahar have represented the Central Highlands competition at interleague level.
Meanwhile, key position tall Cameron Jackson has lodged a clearance to join Bungaree from East Point.
Jackson played 13 senior games and was named in the best six times for the Kangaroos last season. He will likely fill a forward role for the Demons.
Among Bungaree’s other recruits is Redan’s Ryan Waight.
The past Victoria Country representative and All Australian player is committed to the Demons and has accepted a playing assistant coach role.
Bungaree’s opening game of the 2018 season will be against Dunnstown on Saturday, April 7.