Springbank has made sure its name remains in the premiership conversation with a quartet of key signings for new coach Troy Beamond’s first season in charge.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
And the new faces are headlined by well-known VFL big man James Wall.
Beamond, who has replaced Michael Searl as senior coach at Tigerland, confirmed Wall has joined the club from Tatura in the Goulburn Valley Football League.
Wall is a decorated VFL player with Casey Scorpions, Williamstown and Richmond, with his career in the statewide competition returning multiple league team of the year honours.
He also held rookie positions with St Kilda and Sydney.
“He’s a six-foot-five athlete. He can obviously play being at two AFL clubs and being a VFL (club) best and fairest,” Beamond told The Courier.
“He can play anywhere from ruck to centre half back, to wing, to even as a genuine inside midfielder.
“It gives us ability, gives us talent, but also it gives us great flexibility.”
Wall heads to Springbank alongside his brother David, who arrives from St Bernards in the Victorian Amateur Football Association.
He is also a tall utility option for the Tigers during the 2018 Central Highlands league season.
The Wall brothers have family in Wallace, which has been a key factor in getting them to the club.
Another major recruit for Springbank is Darley 2017 premiership player Chris Graham.
Graham was skipper under senior coach Beamond during their successful time at Wyndhamvale, which resulted in a Western Region league division two flag in 2015.
He landed at Darley along with his brother Brian last season and helped the Devils to the premiership.
Graham also represented the Ballarat league in the AFL Victoria Community Championships.
The fourth of the big recruits is Ryan Bulluss.
Described as a midfield/half forward option by Beamond, Bulluss is currently playing in the Northern Territory Football League premier division.
Springbank, which had its shot at a third-straight senior flag ended at the preliminary final stage last season, will open its 2018 campaign against Buninyong on April 7.