One of Lake Wendouree's greatest ever players has called time on his career with the Ballarat Football League club.
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Ben Taylor has lodged a clearance to join Western Region side Yarraville Seddon Eagles, where he is looking to play in season 2020.
Taylor was joint-captain alongside Gavin Webb as the Lakers claimed their one and only BFL premiership in 2010 and the onballer later went on to take out the league's highest individual honour - the Henderson Medal - in 2016.
In a glittering career with Lake Wendouree, he picked up four senior best and fairest awards.
Former Lakers secretary Nick Clifton, who is now part of the football department, said Taylor was easily inside the club's top five players of all time. Lake Wendouree was established for the 1995 season following the merger of Wendouree and Ballarat YCW.
"When he's fit, he's an absolute gun," Clifton said.
"I think he's given a lot back to the Lakers in the last three or four years.
"He came back, commuted every week (from Melbourne) and I think it just got a bit too much this year.
"The club wishes him well. He's been a great servant and a loyal servant."
After some time away from the club, Taylor came back in 2016 and has been influential during the past four campaigns.
Last season, Taylor played 15 senior games for Lake Wendouree and only missed being included in the team's best players on three occasions.
In the end, the Lakers finished the season in ninth spot on the ladder.
Yarraville Seddon Eagles play in division two of the Western Region competition and won the premiership in 2019.
Lake Wendouree senior coach Dale Power is on board again in 2020 and while he has lost Taylor, will be excited by the signing of former North Melbourne-listed Nick Rippon.
Rippon's move to Lake Wendouree follows his decision to take a break from the VFL after seven years in the competition - five with North Ballarat Roosters and two with the Kangaroos.
He joins the Lakers having been a VFL, Roosters, North Melbourne VFL and North Ballarat Rebels best and fairest.
"He's cut ties with VFL and he's full-time BFL for about half a dozen games before he heads overseas," Clifton said.
"And he'll be back for finals if we make it."
Lake Wendouree is set to open the new season with a round one clash against Bacchus Marsh on Saturday, April 18. After that, the Lakers have battles with reigning premiers East Point, Darley and Ballarat.