OLD Buninyong boys Isaac and Lachlan Baker will play with the Bombers in season 2017.
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Last season’s Central Highlands Football League grand finalists have secured the services of the forward duo, which join the club from Torquay.
Isaac didn’t play a senior game in the Bellarine league last season due to injury, but is expected to offer the Bombers a key target in attack alongside his younger brother, who is also likely to spend the majority of time around goals.
In 2015, Isaac kicked 40 majors from just nine senior games, backing up his impressive return of 68 the season prior.
Lachlan played 14 senior matches for the Tigers in 2016, kicking 12 goals and finding a spot in their best on two occasions.
Torquay finished the most recent campaign fifth on the ladder and was sent packing from the premiership race following an elimination final defeat at the hands of Modewarre.
Buninyong coach Jarrod Morgan said the Baker boys were born and bred in Buninyong, with Isaac having a history playing junior football alongside current Bombers like Ned Gilbert, Sam Turner, Alex Bomitali, Matt Caris and Alec Wiltshire at Mt Clear.
Morgan said aside from their football ability, Isaac and Lachlan will be simply good people to have on board next season.
“Regardless of how well they go, it will just be great to have them at the club,” Morgan said.
The Bakers are the first major confirmed additions to the team that lost the grand final to Springbank in September.
Morgan said not one of the 22 players that started in the decider had declared they would be leaving Buninyong ahead of season 2017.
He said the off-season isn’t about recruiting big numbers to the club, rather just targeting a few important areas to help improve the team.
“We’ve signed our spine, all the young, big fellas are all signed on and our midfield will be the same so there’s not a whole lot that will change,” Morgan said.
“Hopefully we can plug a few of those holes that can make us a bit better.”
Morgan will be the sole senior coach in 2017 following the departure of sidekick Jake Bridges after the grand final defeat.
Bridges has joined Ballarat league club East Point as its senior coach.
Buninyong and Springbank are set to lock horns in a round one grand final rematch next year.
In a draft fixture released by the league last month, the new season is scheduled to commence on Saturday, April 1, with the clash between the Bombers and Tigers the headline of the opening round’s action.