Ex-Rooster to North City

By Gav McGrath
Updated November 2 2012 - 3:55pm, first published March 21 2011 - 12:51pm
Clinton Benjamin
Clinton Benjamin

FORMER Rooster and ex-Carlton listed player Clinton Benjamin has joined Ballarat Football League finals hopeful North Ballarat City as an 11th hour recruit.The pacy midfielder-forward, who was cut from North Ballarat’s list at the end of last season due to a hip injury, was lured to the BFL black-and-whites by fellow ex-Roosters Tyler George and Ryan Luke.Benjamin joins half a dozen former VFL players, including George and Luke, who will line up for North City this season.North Ballarat City coach Rob Waters said the 22-year-old should excel at BFL level.“At this level (Benjamin) is going to be a very good player,” Waters says. “He is able to run and carry the ball, and can play on the wing or he can play as a key forward. He will be a very difficult player to match up on.“He’s a good size and is very quick for his height. “Last year he missed out on playing finals with the Roosters, so he is very keen to have a real crack at it and hopefully play finals. “Clinton is good mates with Tyler George and Ryan Luke, and they chased him up. They did all the work so I can’t take the credit (for recruiting him).”Benjamin, who is recovering from a hip operation and will travel overseas, is expected to miss the opening rounds of the season. The former Claremont (WAFL) player originally joined North Ballarat from Carlton’s VFL affiliate Northern Bullants when his brother Warren Benjamin was drafted by North Melbourne. Warren Benjamin has since returned to Perth.“In a perfect world we’ll have (Clinton Benjamin) from round four,” Waters said. “We have a bye in round three so that gives him a little more time (to recover).“We’re very happy with who we’ve recruited. We had to update the list at the end of last season and most of the blokes we’ve got are local.”North Ballarat City will play its next practice match this Saturday against Geelong Football League club Newton-Chilwell at North Ballarat’s number two oval. Former playing coach Aaron Clark is a chance to make his return for the match after recovering from ankle surgery.

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