Topping off a hectic off-season in which the Roos have landed a swag of big-name recruits, Spolding comes to the club on the back of a three-year playing coach role at Newtown & Chillwell in the Geelong Football League, which he steered to three consecutive finals series.

He is set to play in the season-opener against Hepburn in just over two weeks, according to coach Jason Allen, and is expected to line up in a key position either up forward or down back.

The former Roosters star, who played 123 senior VFL games including premierships in 2008 and 2009, will not take up any coaching positions at Waubra.

He coached the last three years in Geelong before his job was filled by three-time Geelong premiership hero David Wojcinski for 2014, also holding an assistant coaching role when he first moved across in 2010.

Allen said Spolding was a great recruit to the club, declaring the playing list was now almost complete.

“It’s the final piece in the puzzle for our recruiting,” he said.

“It’s a great pick-up to get Jacob across, we’re rapt to have him. He’s a versatile sort of player that can slot in anywhere.

“The experience and knowledge he brings is invaluable.”

While welcoming the star recruit to the club, Allen said the club did not aggressively pursue him.

He said Spolding was attracted to the club by friends and family members, including brother-in-law and Waubra player Tom Molloy.

Spolding started training with the Roos late last year.

“Jacob wanted to come across to the club, he’s got a lot of mates at the club,” Allen said.

The latest recruiting news caps a huge off-season for Waubra, which has lured a number of key recruits, including former St Kilda forward Jarryd Allen, gun midfielder Jason Delaney from East Point and former Sebastopol captain Malcom Niblett.

patrick.nolan@fairfaxmedia.com.au