Ambrose Gillett has been a regular and consistent contributor for Lake Wendouree's senior side in recent years and is now planning to take the next step in the Central Highlands Football League.
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New Bungaree coach Ryan Waight confirmed that Gillett was set to pull on the red and blue in 2021, with his recruitment coming due to some strong friendship ties at the club.
"He's had some mates out at Bungaree for quite a few years and seems to come to most, if not all, social functions and his mates finally got him across the line," he said.
"He'll be very handy..."
Waight expected Gillett, who featured in 15 senior matches with the Lakers in 2019, to potentially take on a role on the wing for his new club.
His signature is a boost to the Bungaree senior squad, which looks to have strengthened up with Jacob Werts, Ryan Bell and cousins Will Lovett, Dakin Morris and Jamaica Ilsley among the new faces.
Werts, a former VFL player with the North Ballarat Roosters, was with Donald in 2019, while former Redan footballer Ryan Bell arrives following a stint with the Geelong West Giants. Lovett and Morris come from Heywood, where they won the South West District league senior flag last year, and Ilsley makes the shift from Bundoora.
Another major signing in 2019 was that of Alan Batchelor, who is a past Toohey Medal winner from the Wimmera league. It's hoped he will remain at the club next season.
Waight said he didn't want to build a "basketball side" but rather ensure the senior group was strong across the board and can "bat pretty deep".
"I'm still getting my head around it, but typically the Central Highlands has been your top six is strong and then some clubs fall away pretty hard," he said.
"We're pretty keen not to do that. And not just this year, but for years to come."
Waight is a triple Redan premiership player, past Victoria Country representative and All Australian, who joined Bungaree ahead of the 2018 season.
He arrived at the club as an assistant to Heath Pyke, but injury meant he played just four senior games in 2018 before retiring.
Bungaree finished 10th on the ladder in 2019 before Waight was appointed as Pyke's replacement.
The Demons were one of just five clubs that were keen to push on with a senior season in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic threatened community sport. But the Central Highlands league board brought an end to the speculation when it decided to abandon the year in June.
