Swans lure Dunne from Buninyong

Ballarat has lured Dunne away from CHFL power Buninyong for what is a return to the Ballarat Football League.

He played with East Point before joining the Bombers in 2016.

Swans coach Joe Carmody is looking to Dunne as a marking key forward role - a position Ballarat has struggled to fill for several seasons.

Hayden Hughes was Ballarat's latest big goalkicking forward, bagging 38 in 2016.

The smaller and more mobile Nick O'Farrell (44 in 2017) and Andrew Hooper (41 this year) have been the Swans' most potent in attack since.

Ballarat recruited Ash Munari from Carisbrook last season in an attempt to fill the void, but the MCDFL leading goalkicker returned to the Redbacks after just a few outings in the BFL.

Dunne became a regular at East Point in 2014 and 2015, being one of three Roos to play every game in the latter, including a finals appearance.

He worked his way to prominence at Buninyong, representing the CHFL in AFL Victoria Community Championships for the past two seasons.

Ballarat has also signed Nathan Patrikeos from CHFL premier Waubra.

Patrikeos is a former Swans player, which means he will be on the mimimum in the player points system.

He played 17 games with the Roos last season, but was restricted to five appearances this year owing to injury.

Patrikeos made his senior debut with Ballarat in 2012 and locked a spot in the side in 2013 before crossing to Waubra.

Carmody said the Swans were close to naming other recruits, with Ballarat needing to build on three wins and a draw this year, and 10^th position.